Spina Bifida Support Group

Hi, Welcome As far as I know once you have one it is permanant but, I have heard of a few cases where people have had them removed. I'm sorry I can't be more help. Take care

all I know about is my case. In my case yes I will have my shunt forever ( a shunt not the one from infancy. it malfuntioned at 9). The doctors believe I stopped using it at about 12 but to remove it would mean another major surgery and the worst part is half my head would have to be shaved ( yep I am a lot vain ) . The doctors said it was o.k. to leave it especially since they could one hundred percent know that I longer us it.

I was told a few years ago mine cannot be removed, even if it is no longer working. I went to my neurosurgeon because I was getting constant headaches and thought it might be malfunctioning. He told me it was most likely from scar tissue from my last revision, and that there was really nothing they could do unless the pain got debilitating. Even then, they would only be able to scrape away the scar tissue. That once the shunt is there, going in and doing anything to it would be pointless, at my age. In a child, that might not be the case. Like KLwebb, I dont think mine is useful anymore.

not all shunts r! mine is but my hydro is very bad and always hass been. i no lots of people who got there shunts out and r fine! most people out grow there shunts!

My daughter has two shunts and her Dr. said that it is possible that she could have one removed later in her life she will always have atleast one due to where her brain sits!

My experience is permanent but a friend of mine had hers only 15 years and at her last CT they told her she no longer needs it because she is functioning and it isn't working. So it is possible for you to I guess "grow out" of it.

I've had my shunt "revised" about 15 times but yes mine stays in. My neurologist said its safer to keep it in side of me and just let it sit not doing anything than it would to risk surgery. CathyM

I was told that my daughter would have her shunt for life. At some point it might have to be replaced, but as long as it is functioning properly, she would keep the same one.

I am 20 years old and just had my VP shunt replaced for the first time in October, which I'm told is very rare because shunts usually only last a few years before needing to be replaced. The shunt I had was not even on the market anymore, but the one I have now is magnetic, which I believe means it won't need to be replaced.

Hi i have just been to the nero surgen about that this week, my son has a vp shunt and i asked the same it doesnot need to be replaced unless something is wrong, he is 15 months old and has his next extention at around 7 to 8 years, just threw the tummy they will add some tubbing on and when he is bout 18 the will replace the tube from the behing the ear to tummy, im so happy