22-day old baby saved by minimally invasive brain surgery in Coimbatore

A 22-day-old premature baby weighing only 1,200 grams successfully underwent an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV).

The infant, born prematurely at 29 weeks of gestation with germinal matrix haemorrhage, exhibited clinical signs of hydrocephalus, necessitating timely intervention to prevent neurological impairments.

While traditional treatment options such as ventriculoperitoneal (VP) and ventriculoatrial shunts remain common, they carry higher risks of infections and mechanical complications. In contrast, ETV offers a minimally invasive alternative that enhances cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics without the introduction of foreign hardware, thus reducing the associated risks. This case surpasses the previous record of youngest patient to undergo ETV previously documents at 25-days of age and 1850 grams.

Dr. G. Bhaktatchalam, Chairman of KG Hospital, Dr. Rajkumar (Neurosurgeon), Dr. Ramakrishna (Neurologist), Dr. Srinivasan (Pediatrcian) and Dr. Selvakumar (Anaesthetist) performed the treatment.