VP Shunt Surgery Cost in India

Overview

Shunt surgery, also known as ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting surgery, is a common procedure. People frequently use this surgery to treat hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus implies that the person is suffering from an imbalance or the excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) floating in the ventricles of his/her brain. This imbalance leads to surgical treatment through a shunt system, including a tube and valve to direct the CSF out of the ventricles to another part of the body, usually the peritoneal cavity.

The surgeon makes an incision at the back of the ear, drills a small window into the brain ventricle, and delicately inserts the proximal end of the shunt tube into one of the ventricles. The other end of the tube, extending under the skin along the neck, reaches the abdomen. Normally a valve mechanism is placed along with it to regulate the flow of CSF. The body can then naturally absorb and expel the excess CSF from the brain into the abdominal cavity.

• Lowest Cost (approx.): $10,000 (₹7,50,000)
• Average Cost (approx): $20,000 (₹15,00,000)
• Highest Cost (approx): $50,000 (₹37,50,000)

Treatment Type: There are three types of shunts:

1. ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS),
2. ventriculoatrial shunt (VA shunt), 
3. external ventricular drain (EVD).

Treatment time: 3-4 hours

Hospitalisation days: 2-4 days

Risk: Moderate

Chances of Recurrence: Moderate Recovery Time  2-4 weeks

Success rate: 80%

Cost of Surgery

• Range: INR 100,000 to INR 250,000 (approximately USD 1,200 to USD 3,000)

Budget:

• Low: Approximate INR100,000 (USD1200).
• Average: This will roughly come to over INR1,50,000 (USD1800).
• Up to: Costs can stretch up to INR2.5 lakh (USD3000) or more, depending on the hospital and particular factors.

These estimates can vary widely, with actual costs differing. 
The following factors can elevate costs: 

• Hospital-a government hospital may be significantly less costly than a private hospital or a surgical center of repute. 
• Surgeon: As with any experienced surgeon, a better-known and experienced neurosurgeon may bill more for service. 
• Type of shunt- Various types of shunts incorporate different prices. 
• Post-op Care-On average, the follow-up appointments, medications, and possible complications may have expenses in the longer span. Typically. 
• Insurance pays: Some charges may be carried by insurance, but the average benefit changes from one person to another.

Factors Affecting Cost

1. Hospital or Clinic: Choosing a hospital or clinic lends a beneficial hand in what you could end up paying for the VP shunt surgery. This operating cost will depend much on what type of reputation, location, and amenities are within the healthcare coverage of the place where the service is to be rendered, evolving health equations. 

2. The Train: Generally, the package price of the VP shunt includes all the expenses for the pre-operative evaluation, diagnostic tests, anesthesia, hospitalization, ongoing intensive medical management, outpatient follow-up visits, and any necessary medications or imaging studies.  There may be several ways to inflict this damage. 

3. Surgeon Experience: Generally, the most experienced surgeons who perform a VP shunt surgery will charge a high fee for their services. In this case, the neurosurgeon specializes in neurosurgery and possesses extensive experience. He'll likely request a very high fee for his skill. 

4. Location: The location of a hospital or clinic significantly influences the cost of VP shunt services. In general, the cost of labor and services tends to be higher in metropolitan areas or even across countries due to the influence of local factors, such as the cost of living, the current state of the medical center and hospital infrastructure, and local financial situations.

Why Choose India

Medical tourism, including VP shunt surgery, is becoming India's most popular opportunity for many reasons:

1. Cost-effective: The cost of VP shunt surgery in the United States is higher than in India. In India, the total cost of various components of pose surgery, hospital stay, and follow-up care is significantly lower.

2. Quality Healthcare. India has a well-established health care system with reputed hospitals and clinics that provide very high-quality healthcare services. Most Indian doctors and surgeons have attended foreign educational institutions and learned the latest. Their training comes from global centers of excellence.

3. Highly talented surgeon: Indian health professionals, particularly neurosurgeons, are very experienced, highly skilled, and adept at conducting high-risk procedures such as endoscopic VP shunt surgery. They are capable of performing major and complex operations with a high level of competence, adopting the latest surgical concepts, and strictly adhering to all international standards.

4. The best infrastructure and technologies: The infrastructure and technologies of many hospitals and clinics are up to date and have significantly improved in terms of quality, technologies, and facilities.

5. Medical Tourism Infrastructure: Within the medical tourism industry, India boasts a relatively well-developed public health system that caters to international patients. Many hospitals offer packages that include complete surgeries plus accommodation, ground transportation, and postoperative care. It fits very well with people flying in from outside.

6. Cultural compatibility and communication: India, known for its diverse cultural backgrounds, is hospitable to English, a widely spoken language. This will be particularly beneficial as English is a frequently spoken language among healthcare professionals, thereby facilitating easy communication and understanding for patients.

It is essential that you conduct thorough research in the selection of a reputed hospital or clinic for the VP treatment in India. Relying on recommendations and patient reviews and checking details of the qualifications and experience of the surgeons would be advisable. Consulting multiple health providers and taking into account their reputation, success rates, and patient testimonials can better prepare you for any VP treatment you may be considering.