Health Library

After brain shunt surgery it's common to have head pain.

It is also common to have some swelling and soreness around:

1. Your scalp cut.
2. Any other cuts made for the catheter and valve placement.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

1. Take your medicines only as told
2. If you were given antibiotics, take them as told. Do not stop taking them even if you start to feel better.
3. You may need to take steps to help treat or prevent trouble pooping (constipation), such as:
4. Taking medicines to help you poop.
5. Eating foods high in fiber, like beans, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
6. Drinking more fluids as told.
7. Ask your health care provider if it's safe to drive or use machines while taking your medicine.

Bathing

1. Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until you're told it's OK. Ask if you can shower.
2. Start washing your hair when told. You may be told to:
3. Use a mild shampoo.
4. Wash your scalp cut each day. Gently pat the area dry. Leave it open to the air.
5. Avoid using a hair dryer.

Caring for your cuts from surgery

a) Take care of your cut from surgery as told. Make sure you:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after you change your bandages. If you can't use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
2. Change your bandages.
3. Leave staples, stitches, or skin glue alone.
4. Leave tape strips alone unless you're told to take them off. You may trim the edges of the tape strips if they curl up.

b) Check the area around your cuts every day for signs of infection. Check for:

1. More redness, swelling, or pain.
2. Fluid or blood.
3. Warmth.
4. Pus or a bad smell.

Activity

1. Ask if it's OK for you to lift. Ask how much you can safely lift.
2. Ask what things are safe for you to do at home. Ask when you can go back to work or school.
3. If you were given a sedative, do not drive or use machines until you're told it's safe. A sedative can make you sleepy.

General instructions

a) Before you have any type of procedure or MRI, tell all providers that you have a brain shunt.

1. Know what kind of brain shunt you have. It's either a programmable or nonprogrammable shunt. Many programmable shunts are sensitive to the magnets used during MRIs.

b) Eat and drink as told.

c) Keep all follow-up visits. Your provider may need to adjust settings on your shunt.

d) Your provider may give you more instructions. Make sure you know what you can and can't do.

Contact a health care provider if:

1. You have any signs of infection.
2. You develop a fever or chills.
3. You have a poor appetite.
4. You feel restless, confused, or irritable.

Get help right away if:

a) You have cuts that open up.

b) You have no control over when you pee or poop.

c) You have a seizure.

d) You have trouble walking.

e) You have any signs or symptoms that your shunt is not working right. These include:

1. Headaches.
2. Feeling like you may throw up, or throwing up often.
3. Swelling along where the shunt is.
4. Changes in your vision.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.