Best VP Shunt Doctors in India
- Neurosurgeon, New Delhi, India
- Over 27 years experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Pranav Kumar is one of the best Neurosurgeons in India, having a good success record of over 27 years in performing deep-rooted tumors in the skull.
- Since 1996, Dr. Kumar has been working as a senior consultant neurosurgeon at Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.
- Dr. Pranav Kumar is skilled in surgeries for brain tumors deep-seated at the base of the skull and aneurysms affecting the cerebrovascular system.
- Dr. Kumar specializes in performing the complex ‘Auditory Brainstem Implant,’ where a Bionic device is inserted in the brainstem to recover the hearing capacity in deaf patients who cannot be treated with a cochlear implant.
- He completed microsurgery training at the National Neurosurgical Centre at Beaumont Hospital in Ireland.
- Neurosurgeon, New Delhi, India
- Over 45 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. V K Jain is a leading neurosurgeon in India with refined medical surgical precision.
- Dr. Jain has worked in a variety of significant positions in hospitals all across the world over the course of his career.
- Dr. Jain has also served as a visiting professor at a number of prestigious hospitals throughout the world.
- He has also attended many conferences, workshops, and seminars and has also been invited as faculty to many conventions both in India and abroad.
- Neurosurgeon, New Delhi, India
- Over 60 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Ravi Bhatia is a veteran neurosurgeon and spine surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital New Delhi.
- He has about six decades of experience in the management and surgeries of neurological disorders. Before retiring, Dr. Bhatia worked at another prestigious Indian hospital, AIIMS, New Delhi.
- He is particularly interested in Neuro-Oncology, Brain and Spine Tumors, Cerebrovascular Surgery, and Craino vertebral abnormalities.
- To date, Dr. Bhatia has treated neuro patients with a great success rate.
- He authored chapters in many textbooks and has around 95 papers for medical journals to his credit.
- Neurosurgeon, New Delhi, India
- Over 30 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- With a super-specialization in Neurosurgery, Dr. S K Sogani is one of the most accomplished neurosurgeons in Delhi and NCR.
- His interest lies in tumor removal surgery, skull base surgery, brain stroke surgery, head injury, micro neurosurgery, different types of spine surgery, and emergency trauma surgery.
- Neuro Surgeon & Spine Surgeon, Mumbai, India
- Over 26 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Abhaya Kumar is a leading name in the field of Neurosurgery who is an expert in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Brain surgery, and Stereotactic Radiosurgery and has performed more than 1400 spine surgeries and 1100 brain surgeries in KDAH alone.
- Dr. Abhaya Kumar’s primary focus includes Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) and has handled over 800 MISS cases till date in the hospital with 96% successful results.
- Neurosurgeon, Mumbai, India
- Over 25 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Ashok Hande is a renowned neurosurgeon in Mumbai who holds the credit for 300 AVMs, 1400 skull base tumor surgeries, 3600 surgeries for cranial and spinal trauma, 1200 lumbar prolapsed intervertebral disc surgeries, 800 cerebral aneurysms, and more than 100 microvascular decompressions.
- He holds an experience encompassing 25+ years and holds the credit for pioneering neurosurgery in Mumbai by bringing in new and advanced neurosurgical procedures for brain and spine surgery.
- Neurosurgeon, Mumbai, India
- Over 28 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Deepu Banerji is a leading name in the field of Neurosurgery in India and possesses extensive skills in minimally invasive and micro neurosurgery.
- He has been practicing neurosurgery for over 28 years and is counted among the best microscopic neurosurgeons in the country.
- Apart from minimally invasive surgeries, his expertise lies in skull base surgery, brain tumors surgery, vascular surgery, and spine surgeries, and has handled numerous cases of brain and spine diseases and disorders.
- Neurosurgeon, Chennai, India
- Over 35 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. K Sridhar is a renowned Neurosurgeon who has an experience of 35+ years in brain and spine surgery and has performed over 1000 complex brain tumor surgeries.
- His primary area of interest is skull base surgery, micro neurosurgery, and spine surgery, and is currently working on lesions of the brain stem.
- Neurosurgeon, Bengaluru, India
- Over 22 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Madhusudan H V is an expert Neurosurgeon in South India with 22+ years of experience in neuro and spine surgery.
- With a specialization in minimally invasive neurosurgeries, Dr. Madhusudan holds the credit for more than 7000 neurosurgeries. He also finds interest in endoscopic interventions and frameless navigations.
- Neurosurgeon & Spine Surgeon, Bengaluru, India
- Over 20 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Prahraj S S is a leading Neurosurgeon who specializes in all types of neurological surgeries and has performed over 6000 neurosurgeries till date along with complex cranial and spine surgeries.
- He is one of the most renowned neurosurgeons in the country and has provided his services to some of the premier medical institutes in India such as NIMHANS where he performed a large number of spinal surgeries.
Best VP Shunting Hospitals in India
Fortis Escorts Hospital, New Delhi
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Over the last 33 years, the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute has set new standards in cardiac treatment with groundbreaking research. It is now known around the world as a centre of expertise for Cardiac Bypass Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Non-invasive Cardiology, Paediatric Cardiology, and Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.
- The hospital has cutting-edge laboratories that perform a wide range of diagnostic tests in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Biochemistry, Haematology, Transfusion Medicine, and Microbiology.
- Fortis Escorts Heart Institute boasts a diverse group of bright and experienced doctors who are backed up by a team of highly qualified, experienced, and devoted support professionals as well as cutting-edge equipment such as the recently installed Dual CT Scan.
- Approximately 200 cardiac doctors and 1600 personnel currently collaborate to manage over 14,500 admissions and 7,200 emergency situations each year. The hospital now has a 310-bed infrastructure, as well as five cath labs and a slew of other world-class amenities.
Rela Hospital, Chennai
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- RIMC is a multi-specialty hospital in a sprawling area of 36 acres located in Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
- The facility has 450 beds including 130 critical care beds, 9 operating rooms, modern reference laboratories and radiology services, and is conveniently located near road, rail and air transportation.
- RIMC is led and managed by world-renowned physicians committed to healthcare.
- RIMC offers the broadest range of clinical care, education, and research. The hospital offers state-of-the-art technology and modern treatment facilities designed to provide health care at an affordable cost.
- Rela Institute is driven by patient needs, comfort and confidence.
CARE Hospitals, Hyderabad
- City: Hyderabad, India
Hospital Highlights:
- CARE Hospitals were established in the year 2000, by CARE Group.
- The multispecialty hospital has 435 beds, including 120 critical care beds, with an annual inflow of 180000 outpatients and 16,000 in-patients.
- The hospital provides specialty medical services in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Nephrology, and Urology.
- The hospital has the first dual source, 128 slice CT scanner (for high precision cardiac imaging) – the first of its kind in south India.
- The hospital offers a wide range of accommodation facilities for the convenience of its varied patient base, ranging from general wards to super deluxe rooms.
Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai
- City: Mumbai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hiranandani hospital was established in 2007.
- The hospital is an advanced tertiary care, multi-specialty hospital equipped with 149 beds.
- The hospital is equipped with a super ICU to provide emergency medical care to critically ill patients.
- The hospital is NABH accredited.
- The critical care facility in the hospital is augmented with the state-of-the-art facilities that facilitate speedier diagnosis and efficient monitoring.
- The hospital provides specialty medical services in cardiology, orthopedic science, pediatric science, neurology, diabetic care, urology, nephrology, ENT, obstetrics, gynecology, cosmetic surgery, bariatric surgery, neuro and spine care.
Fortis Hospital, Anandpur, Kolkata
- City: Kolkata, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata is a world-class super-speciality equipped with the latest technologies in the medical world.
- The hospital is NABH accredited.
- This state-of-the-art facility specializes in cardiology and cardiac surgery, urology, nephrology, neurosciences, orthopaedics, digestive care, emergency care and critical care.
- The hospital, governed by integrated Building Management System (IBMS), has a pneumatic chute system, for quick vertical and horizontal transportation between floors, facilitating speedy transfer of patient specimens, documents, reports, and medicines to the concerned departments.
- The hospital also has a nephrology department with over 28 advanced dialysis units.
Fortis Hospital Banerghatta, Bengaluru
- City: Bengaluru, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta, Bengaluru was established in 2006.
- The hospital is a 276 bedded multi-specialty tertiary care facility.
- The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
- The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies like trans-radial angioplasty, trans-abdominal cardiac surgery, and computerized TKR navigation surgery.
- The hospital provides specialty medical services in cardiology, cardiac surgery, orthopedics, neurology, neuro-surgery, GI, and Minimal Access Surgery (MAS).
Fortis Hospital, Malar, Chennai
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Malar was established in 1992 and was formerly known as Malar Hospital.
- The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
- The hospital is multi-specialty, tertiary care facility with 180 beds.
- The hospital offers comprehensive medical care in specialties such as cardiology, cardio-thoracic surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, nephrology, gynecology, gastroenterology, urology, pediatrics, and diabetes.
Gleneagles Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai
- City: Mumbai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Gleneagles Global Hospital The 450-bed facility comprises of 17-stories, housing state-of-the-art infrastructure, and advanced medical care facilities.
- The hospital offers end-to-end clinical, surgical, and diagnostic services. It is equipped with a team of eminent medical professionals aided by qualified nurses and medical staff
- The Hospital offers advanced Endoscopic procedures, Hepatobiliary and Liver Surgeries, Surgical and Medical Gastroenterology, Bariatric Surgery, and Robotic surgery.
- The hospital is a center of excellence for Orthopedics, Joint Replacement, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement surgery.
Jaypee Hospital, Noida
- City: Noida, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Jaypee Hospital is the flagship hospital of the Jaypee Group.
- This hospital has commissioned 525 beds in the first phase and has been planned and designed as a 1200 bedded multi-specialty facility.
- It holds the accreditation of the NABH and NABL.
- The hospital has state-of-the-art infrastructure equipped with the latest technologies and modern equipment like 64 Slice PET CT, Dual Head 6 Slice SPECT CT, Gamma Camera, and Da Vinci Robotic Surgery for comprehensive robotic surgical solutions.
- It has special Centers dedicated to the major specialties to provide hassle-free and high-quality clinical care.
Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, Delhi
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, is a super-specialty hospital in Dwarka, New Delhi, which is a part of Manipal Hospitals Group.
- The hospital aims to provide the best treatment on par with international standards at a fraction of the cost.
- Equipped with 380 beds, the hospital is also one of the new age hospitals which are equipped fully with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge technology as well as the latest and advanced clinical practices. The hospital also has 13 modular Operation theatres with 118 beds which are solely meant for critical care.
- The hospital comprises internationally acclaimed doctors and highly professional and experienced hospital and medical staff who are able to provide preventive, therapeutic, and diagnostic services all under one roof.
VP Shunt
VP shunt or ventriculoperitoneal shunt is a medical device which doctors use for treating hydrocephalus, a brain condition. The device can relieve pressure on the brain caused by fluid accumulation.
Hydrocephalus occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid collects in the ventricles of your brain. This fluid cushions the brain and protects it from any skull injury inside. The fluid also acts as a delivery system for nutrients required by your brain and it also helps in taking away any waste product. Normally, this fluid flows through these ventricles to the base of your brain. After this, the fluid bathes the brain and spinal cord before it is reabsorbed into the blood.
When this normal flow gets disrupted, harmful pressure is created on the tissues of your brain, due to the buildup of excess fluid. This can lead to brain damage. VP shunts are therefore used by doctors, which they place inside of the brain’s ventricles to divert the fluid away from the brain so that normal flow can be restored.
Purpose
People of any age might develop hydrocephalus, due to which they might require a VP shunt. However, it is known to occur more in babies than adults. Hydrocephalus, which occurs when excess fluid builds up around the brain, occur due to several reasons such as overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid, poor absorption of cerebrospinal fluid by the blood vessels and any blockage preventing fluid from flowing throughout the brain. Blockages are usually the most common cause of hydrocephalus.
Preparation
Before the procedure, your doctor might recommend the following:
- Stopping consuming alcohol, as this might affect surgery and recovery
- Avoiding any herbal remedies or supplements
- Stopping taking vitamin E, as it may lead to bleeding
- Discussing any existing medication, as you might need to stop taking some before your surgery
- Discussing any heart devices and results of any tests for heart conditions
- Discuss if you have any allergies
- Stop smoking
On the night before your surgery, it is recommended that you don’t consume any food after midnight.
Procedure
Before the procedure to fit the VP shunt, you will receive a general anesthetic and therefore you will be unconscious during the procedure. Once you are fully asleep, a small hole in your skull will be drilled through an incision behind the ear.
They will thread one catheter into your brain through this opening. The other one will go behind your ear and is subcutaneous, which means it resides under the skin.
This tube then travels down to the chest and abdomen, allowing any excess cerebrospinal fluid to drain into the abdominal cavity, where it is absorbed by the body. Your surgeon might then attach a tiny pump to both the catheters. This may be then placed under the skin behind the ear.
When the pressure in the skull increases, this pump will automatically activate to remove any fluid. It also may even be possible to program the pump also called a valve, to activate when there is a certain volume of increase in the fluid.
Aftercare
You might experience a mild headache after the surgery. In such a case, the doctor will give pain medications.
Eating normally straight after the surgery might not be possible. A patient might need to start with liquids and eventually move to solid foods slowly.
During your follow-up visit, your doctor will be removing your stitches. In the meantime, it is important to keep the stitches clean and also check for any signs of infection every day.
The doctor will remove a person’s stitches during a follow-up visit. In the meantime, it is important to keep the incisions clean and also check for any sign of infection. Redness, swelling and fluid leakage might be signs of an infection.
It is important to consult with your doctor before you are able to start showering again. The doctor will also advise you when you will be able to resume your normal daily routine.
Results
For most people, a VP Shunt is able to successfully reduce any pressure in their brains. It takes several years before they require any replacement. For small children, the average lifespan of a shunt is two years. Adults and children over the age of 2 usually do not need a replacement for 8 or more years. However, the shunt systems need to be monitored frequently.
Risks and complications
The procedure for a VP Shunt has few risks. Some people can experience adverse effects due to the general anesthesia, such as breathing problems or changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
Although rare, sometimes a VP shunt can stop working correctly and require replacement. The following signs can indicate that the device may not be working as it should:
- redness or swelling where the catheter passes under the skin
- vomiting without feeling very nauseous
- loss of coordination or balance
- a persistent headache
- extreme fatigue
- trouble staying awake
- feeling of irritation
If a VP shunt stops working correctly, it is possible for it to over-drain or under-drain cerebrospinal fluid. If the pump drains cerebrospinal faster than the body produces it, it can lead to a brain hemorrhage. If the pump does not drain cerebrospinal fluid quickly enough, the symptoms of hydrocephalus will likely return.
It is also possible for the VP shunt to get infected. Signs of infection can include:
- redness or swelling where the catheter passes under the skin
- pain around the catheter
- a headache
- high fever
If you see any sign of infection, it is important to see a doctor immediately.
FAQs on VP Shunt
How long does a VP shunt last?
VP shunts can last as long as for 35 years.
Can a VP shunt be removed?
VP shunt can be removed, once the shunt has been proven to be unnecessary.
How long does it take to recover from shunt surgery?
Recovery from a VP shunt placement takes 3-4 days. Most people can leave the hospital within seven days after the procedure.