Do not touch the valve on your head. It is okay for you to lie on the side of your head with the shunt. For 6 weeks, do not do any activity that may cause you to hit your head. You will probably be able to return to work in less than 1 week.

Can I drive with a VP shunt?

Ask your doctor when you can drive. Most people can start driving again 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Don’t drive while you’re taking pain medication that may make you drowsy.

Can people with VP shunts have kids?

They concluded that maternal shunts during pregnancy increased the incidences of complications for some patients however; with proper management those patients can have a normal pregnancy and labor. So the presence of a VP shunt is not a contraindication for pregnancy.

Can you live a normal life with a VP shunt?

Overview. Many people with normal pressure hydrocephalus enjoy a normal life with the help of a shunt. Regular, ongoing checkups with the neurosurgeon will help ensure that your shunt is working correctly, your progress is on track, and you are free to keep living the way you want.

Can you damage a VP shunt?

A shunt blockage can be very serious as it can lead to an build-up of excess fluid in the brain, which can cause brain damage. This will cause the symptoms of hydrocephalus. Emergency surgery will be needed to replace the malfunctioning shunt.

Do VP shunts ever get removed?

Once the shunt has been proven to be unnecessary, it can be removed – typically as an outpatient procedure. Careful long-term follow-up is necessary to evaluate for recurrence of hydrocephalus requiring shunt replacement.

Can you drink alcohol with a VP shunt?

The doctor may recommend: stopping drinking alcohol, as this may affect surgery and recovery. stopping taking vitamin E, as it may cause bleeding.

Is a shunt considered brain surgery?

Shunt surgery is done by a specialist in brain and nervous system surgery (neurosurgeon). It’s done under a general anaesthetic and usually takes 1 to 2 hours. You may need to stay in hospital for a few days after the operation to recover. If you have stitches, they may dissolve or need to be removed.

Can you give birth with a VP shunt?

The presence of a shunt does not affect pregnancy and vaginal delivery is considered by most authors as the first option. Primary cesarean section is preffered in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus or rapid deterioration in the case of shunt malfunction.

Can a VP shunt move?

Most (69.2%) migrations occur within 3 months after the shunt placement and there has been a declining trend after that [Figure 11].

Can I drive with a shunt?

Can I drive after having the operation? No, the current DVLA guidance is that you must not drive after a ventricular shunt or third ventriculostomy operation.

Can you drive if you have a shunt?

Brain Shunt Recovery at Home You should continue to gradually increase your activity and walking within and outside the home is encouraged. You are not allowed to drive a car. Your doctor will give you specific instructions about driving on discharge or when you follow-up in the office.

How long do VP shunts last?

Shunting is successful in reducing pressure in the brain in most people. VP shunts are likely to require replacement after several years, especially in small children. The average lifespan of an infant’s shunt is two years. Adults and children over the age of 2 may not need a shunt replacement for eight or more years.

Can your body reject a VP shunt?

Shunt malfunction: The shunt can also malfunction, which causes it to fail. According to the Hydrocephalus Association, about 50 percent of pediatric brain shunts fail within the first two years they are placed. Shunts may become full or partially blocked, which causes them to only function intermittently.

What is the most common complication of VP shunt?

Obstruction is the most common cause of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) malfunction. Infection is the second most common cause of VPS malfunction, which is more common in children. Pseudocyst is a late complication of VPS, which may present as abdominal pain and a palpable mass.

Can a VP shunt drain too much?

Over-drainage: When the shunt allows cerebral fluid to drain from the brain’s ventricles more quickly than it is produced, the ventricles can collapse, tearing blood vessels and causing bleeding in the brain or blood clot, marked by severe headache, nausea, vomiting, seizure and other symptoms.

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