The evidence, therefore, indicates that if not only operative mortality and initial success are considered but also, and more important, the incidence of late, serious complications and the duration of survival periods, the results obtained with third ventriculostomy and endoscopic cauterization of the choroid plexuses are considerably better than those obtained with any of the various shunting operations which require the use of mechanical tubes and valves.

This historical and critical review of the surgical treatment of hydrocephalus is presented in the hope that it may re-awaken interest in the physiological and surgical principles for the treatment of hydrocephalus proposed by Dandy over 40 years ago, and may result in the wider use of third ventriculostomy and endoscopic cauterization of the choroid plexuses in the future practice of neurosurgery.