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Minerva Medicolegale 2005 June;125(2):99-112

Copyright © 2005 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Pediatric hydrocephalus: medicolegal observations

Massimelli M., Vitetta G.

After a brief outline of the pathogenesis, the clinical aspects and the main surgical treatments of pediatric hydrocephalus, the various medicolegal problems are discussed. The problem of the informed consent has been discussed, pointing out the importance of the information that the neurosurgical team should give to the parents of the pediatric patients both on the operative choice and on the complications to middle and long term. We have tried to underline, within the limits of professional responsibility, the importance of the evaluation of some clinical and technological parameters. Moreover, we have tried to give an indication on the medicolegal evaluation of pediatric hydrocephalus and to fill a gap in the present medicolegal literature and as well as to offer, at the same time, a starting point for future studies and comparisons. The proposed schedule should be adapted according to the different evaluations: civil liability, private accident insurance, health insurance or reimbursement of medical expenses.