Impact of choroid plexus coagulation on the success of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in children with hydrocephalus: a single-center retrospective observational cohort study.

Introduction: Hydrocephalus is a common condition in childhood, often treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS). Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has emerged as an effective alternative, and the addition of choroid plexus coagulation (CPC) is believed to enhance its success, particularly in children under 6 months.

Methods: In this observational study, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 167 pediatric patients who underwent ETV, with and without CPC, at the Hospital da Restauração in Pernambuco. The primary outcome was to evaluate the success rates of ETV and ETV + CPC at immediate postoperative or outcome at discharge and 6-month follow-up. Statistical analyses, including chi-square, univariate, and multivariate logistic regression, were employed to assess correlations between dependent and independent variables.

Results: ETV + CPC showed a significantly higher success rate in the immediate postoperative period (91%) compared to ETV alone (75%) (p = 0.007). After 6 months, success rates were similar for both groups (67% for ETV + CPC and 66% for ETV), with no significant difference (p = 0.855). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the type of surgery (ETV + CPC vs. ETV) was a significant predictor of immediate postoperative success (OR 2.81, 95%CI 1.18-6.72, p = 0.020). Age and sex did not correlate significantly with surgical outcomes.

Conclusion: The addition of CPC to ETV significantly enhances immediate postoperative success in young children with hydrocephalus. Although long-term outcomes equalized, these findings suggest that CPC can be a valuable adjunct in optimizing short-term results.