Minimally invasive techniques in ventriculo-abdominal shunts

  Ventriculo-abdominal shunt is one of the common procedures for treating hydrocephalus. Applying new minimally invasive surgical techniques to ventriculo-abdominal shunt has many advantages, such as less trauma, less interference with abdominal cavity, reduction of abdominal adhesions and even release of minor abdominal adhesions, inconspicuous and hidden postoperative scar, less pain and faster recovery.  With the continuous development of minimally invasive surgery technology and the increasing demand for cosmetic surgery, “scarless surgery” has become a new favorite among doctors and patients. Scarless surgery mainly refers to natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). In ventriculo-abdominal bypass surgery, the abdominal navel is used as the “natural cavity” to perform the surgery, so that there is “no scar”.  Conventional open surgery leaves a large scar, especially if the patient is a keloid, as shown in the figure below.    After scarless surgery, the abdominal scar is hidden, and the surgical scar on the upper edge of the belly button is not easily detected, as shown in the picture below.    It is our unremitting pursuit and dream to make full use of the minimally invasive technology of contemporary surgery to every aspect of clinical work for the maximum benefit of our patients.