Fewer infections with antibiotic-impregnated shunts for hydrocephalus

This NIHR Signal outlines the results of the BASICS study, which suggests that antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheters should be the first choice for people having a first ventriculoperitoneal shunt inserted for treatment of hydrocephalus, regardless of age or cause of illness. Although antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheters may not reduce the numbers of revisions required for any cause, infections in the cerebrospinal fluid cause significant morbidity and require longer and more expensive treatment as well as revision compared with just revision for mechanical failure.The authors say that the increased price of these shunt catheters could be expected to be recovered by the reduction in treatment for shunt infection.
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news