Turkish doctors developed
In the system, which is the only method in the treatment of hydrocephalus, which causes fatal results as a result of fluid accumulation in the head, there is an antibiotic coating on a part of the shunt transferred to the brain. Developed with the support of TÜBİTAK and KOSGEB, the pump part of the new shunt, which is closest to the skin, which creates a risk, was also coated with antibiotics, marking a "first" in the world.
Neurosurgeon who developed the shunt, Dr. Mehmet Sorar said that the shunt is used in patients with hydrocephalus, which is manifested by increased water in the head and head enlargement. Stating that the disease, which has fatal consequences, is mostly seen in children, Sorar emphasized that the disease results in death if the fluid in the head cannot be drained by intervention in a short time.
Explaining that hydrocephalus manifests itself with symptoms such as head growth, dizziness and loss of consciousness, Sorar continued as follows:
"In the head, there are channels through which the cerebrospinal fluid circulates. Normally, the human brain produces up to 500 milliliters of cerebrospinal fluid per day. This protects the brain from external influences.
This fluid becomes unable to travel inside those channels due to some reasons such as head trauma or tumor. When there is a blockage in any of the channels, fluid begins to accumulate. This fluid needs to be evacuated by the surgeons within a critical time of about 24 hours. If not intervened within this period, it will result in death."
LIQUID SHOULD BE KEPT AT A CERTAIN LEVEL
Sorar stated that in case of pressure build-up, infection or bleeding in the head, the method called "drainage system" is entered into the head using a catheter and the fluid in the brain is drained.
Stating that the application performed in the surgical environment remains in the patient's mind until the acute problem such as bleeding and infection disappears, Sorar stated that intracranial implants called "shunts" should be used for long-term treatment. Asks, "When the intracranial pressure increases, the system is activated depending on the pressure and the fluid is discharged. With the system, the fluid is taken from the brain and transmitted to the abdominal cavity. In this way, the pressure in the head is converted to normal. When the pressure returns to normal, the system shuts down again and a certain amount of fluid is released. It stays in the brain," he said.
SHUNT SYSTEM THE ONLY METHOD OF TREATMENT
Emphasizing that direct fluid evacuation instead of the shunt system is not a desired situation, Sorar underlined that the amount of fluid in the brain should be kept at a certain level. Pointing out that the brain pressure is very low and therefore the apparatus used should be quite small in order to work in the low pressure range, Sorar stated that the shunt system is the only method in the treatment of the disease.
FIRST DOMESTIC SHUTTLE IN THE WORLD MARKET
Stating that the materials are expensive because they are brought from abroad, Sorar said that they are working to develop the existing shunts at a more affordable price and more comprehensively.
Stating that they started R&D studies at Hacettepe Teknokent by modeling the shunts of the major manufacturers in the world, Sorar said:
WE ARE THE 2nd COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT CAN MANUFACTURE THIS
"Shunts can sometimes cause infection and be lethal when transferred to the brain. A foreign company coated the shunt with antibiotics to prevent this. We used the same technique and became the second company in the world to manufacture in this way.
We made another innovation. The shunt consists of three parts: the pump that goes to the brain, the pump that goes from the brain to the abdominal head, and the pump that regulates the pressure in the middle. The foreign manufacturer had failed to attach antibiotics to the pump. We succeeded in coating it with antibiotics, and we became the first country in the world to produce in this regard."
Stating that the first domestic shunt was produced in this way, Sorar stated that the products entered the Turkish Republics and African markets, especially Russia.
PRODUCTION REDUCE THE PRICE OF IMPORTED PRODUCTS
Pointing out that the prices of imported products have decreased significantly with the production, Sorar said:
"The dimensions of the product have decreased, which has provided a great advantage to the patient in terms of aesthetics. The antibiotic coating of both the body part of the shunt and the part of the shunt that functions as a pump, called the membrane, has eliminated the risk of serious infection. This is a particularly great advantage. Because, in the best clinics of the world, Even after surgery, the risk of infection is 15 percent. The first month is very important. If an infection develops within a month after inserting the shunt, the shunt needs to be replaced. This means both a risk in terms of health and a cost. It requires hospitalization for 21 days and intravenous antibiotic treatment after the operation. It is very important that the products contain antibiotics.”