Syringo-subarachnoid shunt

BYPASS DRAIN FOR A BUILD-UP OF FLUID IN THE SPINAL CORD


A syringo-subarachnoid shunt is used to drain a build-up of fluid in the spinal cord

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About

A syringo-subarachnoid shunt is used to drain a build up of fluid within the spinal cord, which will help to relieve pressure and any associated pain.

Our Syringo-subarachnoid shunt locations

The Wellington Hospital

The Wellington Hospital

8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital

London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic

The Harley Street Clinic

35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital

The Princess Grace Hospital

42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients

The Shard Outpatients

The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Chiswick Outpatients

Chiswick Outpatients

Bond House 347-353 Chiswick High Road W4 4HS London

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Need to know

A syringo-subarachnoid shunt is a thin flexible tube used to redirect fluid from within the spinal cord to the surrounding fluid-filled space (subarachnoid space), with the aim of relieving pressure. Your neurosurgeon will insert one end of the shunt into the cyst (or syrinx) in your spinal cord, with the other end entering the subarachnoid space, allowing drainage of the syrinx, with the aim of relieving pain and preventing neurological deterioration

Your neurosurgeon will explain your syringo-subarachnoid shunt procedure to you and answer any questions you might have. As you'll be having general anaesthetic, they will let you know how long you should avoid eating and drinking before surgery.

You may also be asked to attend a nurse-led pre-assessment clinic. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.

After your syringo-subarachnoid shunt procedure, you'll be transferred to our recovery ward, where youll be looked after by a specialist team. Your neurosurgeon will explain your recovery time to you and when you can expect to get back to your usual routine.