Follow-up for Slit Ventricle Syndrome in Children

Frequency of Office Visits

• Time of initial postoperative visit: Timing of the first postoperative visit varies by surgeon, but it is usually 2 weeks after surgery. This visit is to assess wound healing and examine the patient.
• Frequency of subsequent visits: Close follow-up is needed to monitor for signs and symptoms of shunt failure.  Patients should be instructed to return to the emergency department in the event of severe headache, vomiting, lethargy, or irritability.

Frequency of Imaging

• 1–2 months after surgery: CT or MRI is done to confirm a functioning shunt (or after removal to confirm ventricles are not enlarging) 1–2 months after surgery and to document the size of the ventricles after the shunt’s function has equilibrated.
• Frequency of subsequent scans: Once stability is established, yearly follow-up is indicated.