Do patients have their ommaya reservoirs removed after treatment?

Answer 1

Yes! Unfortunately patients, like my husband, can have an ommaya reservoir removed after it has caused a bacterial infection which most likely led to a seizure. An infection which rendered him in a state of confusion and non responsiveness to the point of a comatose state. Thereafter, having to tolerate the anguish and waiting for him to open his eyes and him being able to recognize his family. After encountering the horrible outcomes of his inability to speak, move, stand, feed himself, coordinate his movements were excruciating. Until this date my husband struggles and is disabled. If I would have known the consequences of placing an ommaya reservoir in my husbands head I would have opted out. The worst of this whole ordeal is that my husband received his chemotherapy without the use of the ommaya, intravenously, and is doing just fine. It was not necessary, it was precautionary, a just in case he needed it! stated another doctor. So, investigate, ask lots of questions, and get more than one opinion. Beware!