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 Suture line Clean the suture lines with Betadine solution and apply polysporin ointment 3 times a day. Stop the ointment after 3 days. After approximately 7 days, clean suture lines with 1/2 strength peroxide 2-3 times a day using a soft Q-tip. (Mix peroxide with equal amounts of sterile water in a clean cup. Use a new mixture before each cleaning). Wash your child's hair everyday with technicare or ultradex shampoo for 1-2 weeks. Appointment Please call for an office follow-up appointment the day you are discharged from the hospital for scheduling convenience. Schedule your appointment for 2-3 weeks from discharge unless otherwise stated by your doctor. We will check your child to make sure the shunt is working properly at this visit and answer any questions. Sometimes it is helpful to write down any questions so you won't forget to ask. It is imperative that you follow-up with contact your neurosurgeon after surgery as failure to do so can result in serious injury to your child or death if complications are not readily recognized and treated. Follow-up will be ongoing at least yearly. Activity infant or child may become tired easily and need more rest. Limit activity for the next 2-3 weeks. With older children, no bike riding, playgrounds or strenuous activity. No swimming for 2-4 weeks. Pain If your baby is fussy or your child complains of a headache, give Tylenol to help the discomfort. If the pain becomes severe and Tylenol does not help, please give your pediatrician a call. Your pediatrician will help determine if the pain is due to problems other than the shunt. If your pediatrician feels it is related to the shunt please call us. Fever If your baby or child has a fever above 101 degrees, please call your pediatrician to determine the cause of the fever. If your pediatrician feels the fever is due to the shunt please gave us a call. Position Keep the head of bed slightly elevated to promote drainage of the shunt. Infection and Concerns Watch your infant or child for any of the signs of wound infection, shunt infection, or malfunction for the next 6-8 months. If you have concerns about your infant or child's shunt, call us during the day if possible, as there are more people to try to help you in case x-rays, CT's or appointments are needed. Please notify your family doctor or pediatrician of the surgery! Malfunctioning Shunt Systems The following are signs that your infant or child's shunt is not working properly. Call if you notice any of these:
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Children With Shunted Hydrocephalus Can I touch the shunt site on my child's head while shampooing or combing hair? Yes, once the shunt site is healed after surgery it will not hurt to touch or rub the area. When my child has a cold or earache, does it travel to the shunt? No, your child may get all the childhood illnesses and not hurt the shunt. Your pediatrician will help you when your child becomes ill with a virus or illness. Can my child go up in an airplane? Yes, the pressurized airplanes do not affect the shunt. You may want to give your baby a bottle during take off and landing to help prevent discomfort with the ears. Older children can chew gum or eat crackers. Is strenuous activity OK for my child while playing? Yes, your child can play as hard as he can tolerate. Sometimes the children get tired easier and require fluids and more rest time. What sports can they play when they get older? Any sport that does not require repetitive "hits" on the head such as soccer is OK. Football players must keep helmets on at all times. No bungee jumping, sky diving or deep sea diving is permitted since the pressure is altered. Can the children go swimming and diving? Yes, these activities are safe and do not harm the shunt. What happens if a shunt infection or malfunction occurs? Your pediatric neurosurgeon will evaluate your child carefully in the hospital and may need to change the shunt. How do I know when to call my pediatric neurosurgeon? Follow your instincts when your child is sick. Call your pediatrician for childhood illnesses. If your child has the symptoms of a shunt malfunction, call your neurosurgeon. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your neurosurgeon. Remember, your child can grow up to reach his best potential. Enjoy the time with each other. |