Surgery to remove fluid in the brain

Fluid can build up in your brain and cause the pressure inside your head to increase. This is called hydrocephalus. Treatments for hydrocephalus include:

• shunt surgery

• endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV)

Possible problems with shunts

The most common problems with shunts are blockage and infection. Shunts that drain into the tummy can also cause a hole in the bowel (perforation), but this is rare.

Blockage

Doctors don’t know for sure why some shunts become blocked. A blockage may cause symptoms of increased pressure inside the head. Symptoms include:

• headaches

• feeling or being sick

• drowsiness

• unconsciousness

• neck stiffness

A shunt blockage can be serious. You usually need an urgent operation to replace it. 

Infection

Shunt infections are more common in the first few weeks after having shunt surgery. If your shunt is infected, you might have:

• headaches

• high temperature (fever)

• a reddening of the skin over the path of the shunt (a red area tracking down your neck and chest for example), but this is rare

You usually have antibiotics if this happens.

Coping

It can be upsetting to learn that you have hydrocephalus and need to have brain surgery. Talk to your doctor or cancer nurse specialist about what to expect during an operation to treat hydrocephalus. Ask them about the side effects you might have and the support that will be available to you.

Read about the possible side effects of brain surgery