VP Shunt in India

VP shunt in India is a highly sensitive procedure that can save the precious life of a patient suffering from hydrocephalus. In the absence of this life-saving procedure, uneventful circumstances may appear. VP shunting is performed at some of the best neurosurgery hospitals in India. This procedure is performed by a team of highly experienced, qualified, and skilled surgeons. It is important to get this procedure done to undergo the guidance of a highly experienced surgeon to ensure that the occurrence of post-surgery risks are minimized. A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting is a type of a surgical procedure that is used to treat the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain, which is a condition known as hydrocephalus. CSF is responsible for preventing the brain from an injury as it provides cushion and can absorb any type of shock or impact. VP shunting is done to shunt CSF from the lateral ventricles of the brain back into the peritoneum to relieve excess intracranial pressure resulting from hydrocephalus.

Cost Comparison

VP shunt cost in India depends on the type of hospitals where you are planning to undergo the treatment and the fees charged by the team of surgeons. Highly experienced and skilled surgeons may charge more for the surgery because there is a big responsibility on their shoulders. With their experience comes vast knowledge and great instincts, which are highly required in this type of surgery. The best neurosurgeons in India are known to deliver quality healthcare while assuring positive outcomes.

Treatment and Cost

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Total Days
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2 No. Travelers

5 Day in Hospital

10 Days Outside Hospital

Treatment cost starts from

USD 4800

Cost Trends Cost Estimate

Hospitals

About the VP Shunt

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is commonly known as VP shunt. It is a medical device that relieves pressure on the brain caused by excess cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) accumulation. VP shunt is designed to primarily treat a medical condition called hydrocephalus, which occurs when excess CSF collects in the ventricles of the brain.
The role of fluid on the brain is to protect it from injury inside the skull. CSF acts as a delivery system for nutrients that the brain needs and takes away waste products. Fluid on the brain is reabsorbed into the blood.
Hydrocephalus occurs when the normal flow of CSF is disrupted or the reabsorbtion of CSF in the blood is reduced. This condition can, thus, create an adverse pressure on the tissues of the brain and harm it. A brain shunt surgery can help rectify this condition by diverting the CSF away from the brain, which restores normal flow and absorption of CSF. VP shunt is surgically placed inside one of the ventricles of the brain.

How is VP Shunt performed?

The management of hydrocephalus has always been a challenge for neurologists, neurosurgeons, engineers and medical device developers because the nature of CSF is unique to each patient. However, the development of VP shunt has made the treatment of hydrocephalus a bit easier. It has, in fact, become the most successful and primary therapy for hydrocephalus treatment.
A VP shunt looks like a tube and the shunt pathway contains some valves that act as on/off switches. The valve open when the pressure difference across the valve exceeds the valve opening pressure. These valves are usually set to a fixed pressure.
Some accessory devices may be added to the shunt to modify valve functions. Role of accessory devices is to counter gravitational forces and to minimize over drainage of CSF when a patient is in standing position. Further, a bubble like reservoir can provide an external approach to the brain shunt surgery for making any changes in the measurement of pressure.

Recovery from VP Shunt

Brain Shunt Surgery Recovery Time

Just after the VP shunt surgery, the patient is kept under close observation for an hour or so and then is transferred to his or her room. Usually, it takes 4 to 7 days for patients to leave the hospital, depending on their clinical progress.
During the hospital stay of the patient with shunt in head, the hospital staff will monitor the heart rate and blood pressure frequently and the specialist will suggest some preventive antibiotics. The result of this monitoring procedure will help determine recovery time after VP shunt. The specialist will make sure that the shunt in head is working properly and will remove the stitches or staples before the patient is discharged from hospital.
The patient can walk and move after the discharge from the hospital, but it may take 2 to 3 weeks to resume daily activities. Patient may feel tenderness in the neck or belly and probably feel tired. In some cases, the patient may have headache for a few weeks after the surgery, but should not experience much pain. Typically, every individual has different recovery time, depending on the age and medical needs.

Precautions After VP Shunt Surgery

The patient may need to lie flat for 24 hours after the shunt in head is placed. Patients are strictly recommended to follow the instructions of the doctor on how to take care of the shunt at home. Patients may be asked to take medicine after VP shunt surgery to prevent infection.Here are some of the precaution that you must take after the brain shunt surgery:

Rest and get enough sleep, it will help you recover.
Do not touch the valve on your head.
Avoid physically involving games and activities for at least 6 weeks.
Do not swim or take a shower until your stitches or staples are removed.
Take low-fat foods such as plain rice, boiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
Do not take any new medications unless advised by the doctor.
Make sure to contact the doctor before continuing any blood thinner medicines such as clopidogrel, warfarin or aspirin.
Take pain medicines and antibiotics exactly as directed. Do not stop them just because you feel better.

VP Shunt Procedure Complications

The VP shunt procedure is a safe and most common procedure for the treatment of hydrocephalus. But it also involves some complication and risks. Some patients may be advised a VP shunt revision in case of complication or if the device fails to work. According to some studies, about 50 percent of VP shunting in the pediatric population fails within two years of placement and VP shunt revision is often required.However, VP shunt complication rate in adults is less. The most common VP shunt complications in adults are malfunction and infection.

VP shunt malfunction: Partial or complete blockage of the shunt that affects the function of VP shunt intermittently or fully is called malfunction. In VP shunt malfunction, CSF accumulates and resumes the symptoms of hydrocephalus.

VP shunt malfunction is a complication which can occur in adults and any other age group. The blockage can take place from tissue, blood cells or by bacteria. Both the ventricular catheter and the distal part of the catheter can be blocked by tissue from the ventricles or choroid plexus.

VP shunt infections: Infection in VP shunts is usually caused by a person’s own bacterial flora. The most common infection in VP shunt is because of a bacteria called Staphylococcus epidermidis. It is found on the surface of skin, sweat glands and in hair follicles deep within the skin.

This type of VT shunt infection is most commonly seen in one to three months after the surgery. Abdominal infection after VP shunt is also common. A person with VT shunt may also develop a generalized infection, which can become serious quickly.

Pros:

Patients return to usual routine in some days
No pain

Cons

Shunt may fail after a few years
Shunt replacement or removal has its own side effects

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should you go for VP shunt in India

A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a hollow tube that is surgically placed inside the brain or spine to drain the extra cerebrospinal (CSF) fluid resulting in an excessive pressure. The extra fluid is diverted to another body area where it can be easily absorbed. It is the most common treatment for hydrocephalus and helps relieve symptoms of excessive CSF such as difficulty in walking, dementia, and loss of control over the bladder.

There are many hospitals in India that conduct VP shunt surgery. India is one of the most preferred destinations to get VP shunt because of many reasons. Some of the major reasons include the following:

Presence of some of the best neurologists in the world
Affordable cost of treatment
State-of-the-art hospitals and great infrastructure
Presence of all treatment and diagnostic facilities under the same roof
Better success rates

What are the best cities for VP shunt in India

Surgery for VP shunt in India is conducted at several hospitals in different states. A majority of the best hospitals for VP shunt in India are located in the metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, and Mumbai. However, there are other places as well where this procedure can be safely conducted.

A VP shunt surgery is a critical procedure that must be conducted at a good facility by an experienced neurosurgeon. A majority of the big cities in India, as mentioned before, have some of the best hospitals in the country.

The best thing about cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune is that they have strong infrastructure when it comes to the hospitals, internal transportation, airports, and places to stay while in the city. Also, people from abroad can have food of their choice during their stay as the cities have muti-cuisine restaurants.

Also, a large pool of experienced doctors for VP shunt surgery in India is located in these cities.

What is the cost of VP shunt in India

The average cost of a VP shunt in India may vary between $2500 and $7500. The actual cost of VP shunt surgery in India depends on a number of factors. Some of the main factors include the following:

Type of shunt/implant used: There are different types and models of VP shunt available. It can be programmable or nonprogrammable. The implant is selected on the basis of the age, diagnosis, and condition of the patient, among other factors.

Age of the patient: The VP shunt used in the case of children is different from that used for adults. Therefore, the cost may vary as per the age of the patient.

Profile of the hospital: The profile of the hospital also matters when it comes to the VP shunt cost in India. Tier-1 hospitals that are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) tend to cost more as compared to hospitals that are not accredited or only NABH accredited. The costing also depends on which city the hospital is located.

Profile of the neurosurgeon: The total cost of VP shunt surgery in India also depends on how experienced is the specialist performing the procedure.

What are the top hospitals for VP shunt in India

Some of the top hospitals for VP shunt in India include the following:

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Artemis Hospital, Delhi NCR
BLK Superspecialty Hospital, Delhi
Gleneagles Global Hospital, Mumbai and Chennai
Sri Ram Chandra Medical Center, Chennai
Fortis Hospital, Bangalore
Aster Medicity, Kochi
Jaypee Hospital, Delhi NCR
Sakra World Hospital, Bangalore
Kohinoor Hospital, Mumbai

What is the success rate for VP shunt in India

The success rate of VP shunt surgery in India is one of the best in the world. The VP shunt placement surgery itself is a completely safe procedure. However, there may be a few complications in rare cases. Some patients may experience fatigue, fever, headache etc. after the procedure. However, it subsides within a few days.

Overall, the average success rate of VP shunt surgery in India is well over 85 percent, thanks to the experience and the skills of the neurosurgeons in the country. In some hospitals, the success rate is well over 90 percent.

What is the health care infrastructure of India / Why should opt for India as a destination for your medical treatment?

India is a large country with a rapidly expanding system of healthcare. Like many other countries, there are public and private hospitals in India. This also includes healthcare at three levels.

The primary level of healthcare includes Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres.
At the secondary level are District Hospitals and smaller Sub-District hospitals. These are the first referral units, mostly from the primary healthcare centres.
Finally, the top level of health care provided is the tertiary level, which consists of Medical Colleges and Specialized Hospitals.

Since India boasts of housing a large number of people, the requirement for good healthcare and treatment in India is always there. And this also means prompt delivery of the service. Most of the treatment in India has to be offered at reasonable costs to enable people of all classes to access it. Hence, you can be assured that this country will be a great destination for your medical treatment whichever hospital in India you wish to choose.

What are the conditions of the hospitals in India? Are they JCI certified? What is the quality of the support staff in the hospitals?

The Joint Commission International (JCI) is a global leader in health care accreditation. JCI accreditation is considered a gold standard in worldwide health care. It provides the most skilled and experienced healthcare professionals in the medical industry, as evaluators of the rigorous international standards in healthcare quality and patient safety.
Here are some JCI certified hospitals in India:

Fortis Escorts Health Institutes, Delhi
Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Bangalore
Fortis Hospital, Bangalore
Apollo Hospital, Chennai
Sri Ramachandra Medical Center, Chennai
Ahalia Foundation Eye Hospital, Kerala
Rajagiri Hospital, Kochi
Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai
Fortis Hospital, Mumbai
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
SevenHills Hospitals, Mumbai
Apex Heart Institute (A Unit Of TCVS Pvt)
Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata.
Fortis Hospitals Ltd, Mulund, Mumbai
Narayana Multispeciality Hospital Jaipur (A Unit of Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd.)

Hospitals in India are ever-changing to accommodate more people with up to date technology. Hospitals in India also attract patients from other countries because of their diverse range of services. Apart from allopathy and conventional treatment procedures, the government of India, along with the hospitals in India also promote alternative medical treatment options like Ayurveda, homeopathy, and yoga. All in all, you will find great options for any kind of treatment in India.

Are the doctors/surgeons in India of the best quality?

Doctors and surgeons in India have to get through examinations and continue to uphold the standard of education that is provided to them. Since doctors get exposure to various patients during their course, they are able to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases and illnesses. Therefore, one can rely on the doctors of India for their medical services.

What is the process for obtaining a medical visa in India?

The e-Medical Visa for India is an online travel authorization for foreign nationals who wish to seek medical treatment in the country. A medical Indian visa allows the holder to enter the country 3 times.

The e-Medical visa is a short term visa granted for medical treatment reasons. This type of visa is only granted to the patient and not to their family members.

Foreign nationals can acquire an India e-Medical visa by filling in an online application form. This simple process can be done from the comfort of the traveler’s home or office, avoiding a trip to an embassy or consulate.

Applicants must submit their basic personal information, including their full name, nationality, and date of birth. They must also provide a contact email address and phone number as well as their passport details. Finally, some security questions must be answered.

The form is quick and easy to fill out. The approved India medical visa is then delivered to the applicant’s email address within a few business days.

What support services does MediGence provide in India?

MediGence enables you to plan and manage your medical decisions better. These are some of our services offered:

Expert Opinion
We help you seek an Expert Opinion on your diagnosis and treatment from an experienced team of doctors at MediGence and specialists from a reputable hospital.
Hospital Recommendation
We recommend a hospital or a healthcare institution that is best suited for you, based on your ailment and its criticality.
360-degree Hospital Review
We give you a transparent and holistic view of the hospital and its infrastructure, accreditation, facilities, and expertise to give you confidence.
Doctor Validation and Communication
We share a comprehensive profile of the treating doctor and also arrange a call to clear queries regarding treatment if needed.
Options to Choose From
Based on your choice of destination and other preferences, we provide you multiple options with respect to hospitals and doctors to choose from.
24X7 Patient Care Support
A dedicated patient case manager stays in constant touch with you to help you at every step of the decision-making process and resolve queries that you may have.
Transparent Treatment Cost and Other Expenses
We give a clear and accurate indication of the total cost of treatment including treatment, stay, meals, and other expenses.
Visa Assistance
We provide and help prepare documentation for visa approval and coordinate with the embassy to expedite the visa process.
Accommodation Arrangements
We propose to you a choice of accommodation based on your preference such as long stay, short stay, or luxury properties.

Which are the best cities in India for medical treatment?

India is a beautiful country spread across the vast expanse of the Asian subcontinent. Most of the metro cities have hospitals, in India, with varying levels of infrastructure. Depending on your need and medical service, you can visit your choice of city.
The capital of India is Delhi and has many renowned hospitals like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Max Super speciality Hospital Fortis Hospitals, etc.
Other cities offering effective medical care include Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. These cities come under some of the major metro cities of India.