Are shunt operations for adult hydrocephalus patients usually completely successful?

Depends on Diagnosis: There are several types of hydrocephalus in adults. Shunting is typically most successful in patients with acquired hydrocephalus (e.g., hydrocephalus from a brain tumor, bleed, etc) and much less successful in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus. You will need to further discuss this subject with your neurosurgeon

Usually.: Hydrocephalus is a condition of too much spinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain . A shunt is an artificial drainage pathway to allow the fluid to drain out of the brain. If the shunt is placed and doesn't get infected or plugged by blood or tissue it usually works quite well and relieves the pressure