Ommaya Reservoir: Care Instructions

Your Care Instructions

An Ommaya (say "oh-MY-uh") reservoir is a small, soft, dome-shaped container. It is placed under your scalp. It has a thin tube called a catheter attached to it. The catheter extends into one of the open spaces (ventricles) in your brain. The ventricle is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF flows around the brain and spinal cord.

The reservoir is a way to deliver medicines, such as chemotherapy or antibiotics, directly to your brain and spinal cord. This type of chemotherapy is called intrathecal chemotherapy. The reservoir can also be used to take samples of CSF for testing. The doctor will put a small needle into the reservoir to give medicine or take samples.

Surgery to place the reservoir takes about an hour. You will get medicine to make you sleep during the surgery.

Your head will be shaved around the surgery area. The surgeon will make a small cut (incision) in your scalp and a small hole in your skull. The catheter is threaded through the hole and into the brain. The surgeon places the reservoir under the scalp. Then the incision is closed with stitches or staples.

You may go home the same day, or you may stay in the hospital overnight. Before you leave, you may have a CT scan to check the placement of the reservoir and catheter.

Your doctor will tell you when to come back for incision care. Usually this is 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.

After the incision heals, the reservoir will not need any special care. You will have a small bump on your head where the reservoir is located.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Keep your incision clean and dry until the stitches are removed.
• If your doctor told you how to care for your incision, follow your doctor's instructions. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice:
  • Wash around the incision with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
  • You may cover the incision with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
• Ask your doctor when it is okay to shower. Don't swim or take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.
• Do not wash your hair or scalp until the incision has healed.
• Check your incision each day for any redness, swelling, or drainage.
• Take care not to bump or injure the area where the reservoir is located.