Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts, abbreviated as VP shunts are one of the most advanced treatments available for candidates suffering from hydrocephalus. The CSF or the cerebrospinal fluid, normally flowing through the brain ventricles may get leaked causing unwanted accumulation in the cavities, thereby causing additional pressure, a condition called hydrocephalus. The condition is mostly diagnosed with infants, children, and teenagers. VP shunt surgery is primarily performed to relieve such additional pressure. Approximately 160,000 VP shunts are performed every year worldwide and each VP shunt surgery cost varies from $30,000 to $50,000.
The accumulation of CSF causes excessive pressure buildup and may cause irrecoverable brain damage. The VP shunts are thereby implanted in order to re-direct the path of CSF so that normal circulation is restored and any further damage is prevented. The shunts are made up of silicone which is flexible enough to not cause any additional disturbance. It comprises of two slim catheters for draining the CSF and a valve for regulating the activities. The recovery period required for patients undergoing VP shunt surgery is approximately 3-4 days.
VP Shunt surgery is performed to relieve symptoms of hydrocephalus and are unresponsive to traditional or conservative treatments. Candidates who require VP shunt surgery are mostly the individuals who show signs of progressive hydrocephalus. Thus, individuals who are diagnosed with symptoms of:
VP shunt surgery cost depends on a number of factors. Besides, depending on the country where the procedure is performed, the other determining factors are:
21
Total Days
In Country
2 No. Travelers
4 Day in Hospital
17 Days Outside Hospital
Treatment Price not available
Hospitals
The patient may need to lie flat for 24 hours after the shunt in
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
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.
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.
The cost of VP Shunt in South Africa may differ from one medical facility to the other. There are many hospital that cover the cost of pre-surgical investigations of the patient in the treatment package. The VP Shunt cost in South Africa includes the cost of anesthesia, medicines, hospitalization and the surgeon's fee. Stay outside the package duration, post-operative complications and diagnosis of a new condition may further increase the VP Shunt cost in South Africa.
There are several best hospitals for VP Shunt in South Africa. The top hospitals for VP Shunt in South Africa include the following:
After discharge from the hospital, the patient has to stay for another 21 days in the country for complete recovery. This period is important to conduct all the follow-up tests to ensure that the surgery was successful and the patient can go back to the home country.
While South Africa is considered to be one of the best destinations for VP Shunt owing to the standard of Hospitals, and expertise of doctors; there are a select few destinations which provide comparable quality of healthcare for the procedure However, there are other countries as mentioned below that are popular for VP Shunt as well:
| Country | Cost |
|---|---|
| India | USD 4800 |
| Spain | USD 24000 |
| Thailand | USD 12500 |
| Turkey | USD 7000 |
| United Arab Emirates | USD 9500 |
Apart from the cost of VP Shunt, the patient is also required to pay additionally for daily meals and guest house accommodation. The extra charges may start from USD 50 per person.
The following are some of the best cities for VP Shunt in South Africa:
The average duration of stay at the hospital after VP Shunt is about 4 days for proper care and monitoring. The patient is subjected to several biochemistry and radiological scans to see that everything is okay and the recovery is on track. After making sure that patient is clinically stable, discharge is planned.
The average rating for VP Shunt hospitals in South Africa is 2.9. Several parameters such as hospital infrastructure, pricing policy, quality of services, politeness of staff etc. contribute to the rating.
There are more than 3 hospitals that offer VP Shunt in South Africa. The above mentioned clinics have the required infrastructure and a dedicated unit where patients can be treated. Also, these hospitals follow the necessary guidelines as required by the medical associations for the treatment of VP Shunt patients.
Some of the renowned medical specialists for VP Shunt in South Africa are:
South Africa is one of the leading medical tourism destinations with top hospitals, such as:
The performance of these hospitals have been evaluated on the below parameters:
The hospitals are bound to provide quality treatment as the government of South Africa has framed strict healthcare rules to ensure there is no quality lapse. The hospitals have world-class doctors and top-notch infrastructure and provide a wide range of facilities to meet the needs of patients.
The hospitals in South Africa receive accreditation from Joint Commission International (JCI) and Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA). To ensure that integrated and coordinated care is provided, COHSASA develops as well as measures standards in all areas and departments of a healthcare facility. COHSASA, JCI, and SafeCare Foundation have come together to launch the SafeCare program to implement internationally recognized standards to improve health care delivery. Initially, a two-year accreditation is awarded to hospitals and clinics that adhere to standards and the period can be extended if the hospitals continue to deliver expected quality care.
A large number of medical tourists visit South Africa every year due to low-cost treatment and modern infrastructure. South Africa has become the epicenter of medical tourism because of several other reasons like advanced technology, several facilities provided by hospitals, doctors trained abroad, and a large pool of accredited hospitals. Liberal laws for the use of stem cells in South Africa have helped it attract a large number of medical tourists for advanced medical treatment. The patient-centric hospitals in South Africa help you with all kinds of organization and administrative tasks and provide a world-class patient experience through all-inclusive care and assistance on a 24/7 basis.
The doctors in South Africa strive to provide quality treatment utilizing their deep subject knowledge and hands-on experience in handling various complex cases. Majority of doctors in South Africa have received rigorous training in countries like Cuba and Australia which makes them competent in dealing with even the most complicated cases with great ease. Using a holistic approach, doctors have received worldwide recognition for delivering excellent results in dental procedures and fertility treatments. South Africa has world-class doctors due to several reasons like their education at reputed colleges, adherence to global standards, patient-centric approach, and incorporation of the human touch in treatment.
You can get a medical visa to South Africa for 90 days. The High Commission of the country decides for how long a visa could be extended. People need to apply for a temporary residency permit in case they have to stay in the country for more than three months. The validity of a visa begins the same day it is issued by the High Commission in South Africa. A visa application is accepted until 30 days prior to the departure date. Make sure you have the below-listed documents while applying for a medical visa:
A large number of people visit South Africa to avail procedures like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, total knee replacement, meniscus repairs, and hip replacement. Some other procedures which have gained popularity in South Africa are cosmetic surgery and infertility treatment. Egg donation program is very popular in the country and you have an option of having either a surgical or non-surgical procedure, with very low waiting times. People select South Africa to avail these procedures due to several reasons, such as world-class hospitals with superior infrastructure and highly-skilled doctors, fast recovery, and use of cutting-edge medical technology.
South Africa has a number of modern urban centers, such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban. Cape Town, which attracts a wide variety of people from different ethnicity and cultures, has world-class doctors and state-of-the-art medical facilities. The reasons for the popularity of these cities are multiple food options, connectivity through airlines, and cheap accommodation. Healthcare in Johannesburg is similar to Great Britain’s health care, and the city’s public and private healthcare sectors work hand in hand with South Africa's medical schools to create internationally recognized medical specialists.
Yes, vaccination is compulsory before visiting South Africa. The vaccines recommended by WHO and the National Travel Health Network and Centre are Rabies and tetanus, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, Yellow fever, hepatitis A. Infants 6 to 11 months old travelling to the country should get 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. It is always recommended that you get typhoid vaccination if you are going to stay with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas of South Africa. It is best to refer to the travel advisory to know in detail about the required vaccines. You can also get in touch with your doctor or the hospital in South Africa for more information on vaccination.
MediGence has pre-negotiated bundled pricing for many surgical procedures that helps you save cost and avail unmatched benefits
Explore our Best OffersAsk your healthcare adviser for the best multiple options and choose the one that meets your expectations
(+1) 424 283 4838
