Shunt revision by coagulation with retention of the ventricular catheter.

Intraluminal coagulation of a ventricular catheter followed by its removal and replacement is a technique used for proximal shunt revision. The authors describe experience leaving the original catheter in place when flow of CSF is established by the coagulation. Advantages of this modification include maintenance of ventricular access when the ventricles are small and the possibility of reducing the incidence of subsequent shunt obstruction by mitigating intraventricular hemorrhage caused by catheter removal.