Treating Hydrocephalus in Uganda
2015
This case examines the development of a low-cost, one-time treatment for hydrocephalus using endoscopic techniques. Dr. Benjamin Warf, medical director and chief of surgery at CURE Children's Hospital in eastern Uganda, had noticed a high incidence of hydrocephalus among his patients. Frustrated by the lack of options for these patients and by the limitations of shunts in a low-resource setting, he pioneered a combination of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) to achieve similar results as ventricular shunts with much less medical infrastructure and post-surgical maintenance. Dr. Warf has also created awareness-building and surgical training programs to promote hydrocephalus treatment in both developed and developing countries.
This case, developed by Babson University, is part of The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery Teaching Cases, Volume One. The Commission created these materials for mutual learning about the challenges and best practices for developing surgical systems, especially in resource poor settings. The cases can be read individually or used in the classroom.
Treating Hydrocephalus in Uganda
Source:
McKone-Sweet K et al. Cure Hydrocephalus Setting a Course for Sustainability The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery 2015. http://www.lancetglobalsurgery.org/teaching-cases.