THE GROWING dissatisfaction with the results obtained in the treatment of hydrocephalus by operations requiring the use of mechanical tubes and valves, namely, the so-called "cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts," indicates that there is need to reevaluate the methods of treatment of hydrocephalus.
The purpose of this article is to present the long-term results obtained by me and my colleagues in the treatment of hydrocephalus by the use of operations not requiring mechanical tubes or valves, namely, third ventriculostomy for obstructive hydrocephalus and endoscopic cauterization of the choroid plexuses for nonobstructive (communicating) hydrocephalus.
The further prupose of this paper is to compare these results with those obtained by the mechanical shunts.
Principles for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus Proposed by Dandy
Between 1918 and 1922 Dandy laid down three principles for the treatment of hydrocephalus: First, he insisted that in every case of hydrocephalus it be established whether the hydrocephalus is of