The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
When your child’s medical team first mentions an Ommaya reservoir, it is natural for your heart to skip. The word itself sounds heavy and unfamiliar, but the device is designed to make treatments safer, less invasive, and more manageable for children who need ongoing care. While the idea can feel overwhelming, learning what the reservoir does—and how to explain it in child-friendly ways—can transform fear into reassurance. Parents often say that the hardest part is not just managing treatments but keeping their child’s trust and sense of safety intact. With the right preparation, you can do both.
What Is an Ommaya Reservoir?
An Ommaya reservoir is a small dome-shaped device, about the size of a button, that sits under the scalp. It connects to a thin tube that goes into one of the fluid-filled spaces in the brain called ventricles. Doctors use it to give medicines directly into the cerebrospinal fluid or to draw fluid out for testing. Instead of subjecting children to repeated spinal taps or multiple IV pokes, the reservoir provides a reliable access point that makes long-term treatment much smoother.
Why Doctors Recommend It
Children who need frequent chemotherapy for brain or spinal cancers, or who require careful monitoring for certain infections, often benefit from having the reservoir. Without it, every procedure would mean another needle stick, additional sedation, and more distress. Parents may feel anxious about the idea of surgery, but compared to months of repeated lumbar punctures, this small device can significantly reduce the physical and emotional strain on a child.
What the Procedure Involves
Placing the reservoir requires surgery under general anesthesia. The neurosurgeon makes a small incision in the scalp, creates a pocket for the dome, and positions the catheter into the ventricle. The procedure typically takes less than an hour. Most children spend one or two nights in the hospital afterward for monitoring. Parents often describe the incision site as tender during the first few days, but recovery is usually smoother than expected. Some children notice the dome under their scalp when they touch their head. Reactions vary: some are curious, some are bothered, and others barely pay attention to it.
Living with the Reservoir Day to Day
Once the surgical site heals, children can usually return to school, play, and most of their normal routines. The main restrictions involve activities with a high risk of head injury, such as contact sports. Hair typically grows back over the area, though the dome may remain faintly visible. Many children give the reservoir a nickname—“my port button” or “my super cap.” Using creative, child-friendly language helps reduce fear and normalize the experience.
During appointments, nurses clean the scalp and use a special needle to access the dome. Children describe it as a poke, but often find it easier than IVs since the spot is always in the same place. Parents can request numbing cream or use distraction methods such as songs, toys, or videos to ease the process.
Emotional Impact on Children
Children are observant and sensitive. They notice parental stress and can sense when adults are withholding information. Avoiding explanations may cause them to fill in the gaps with their own worries. Honest and age-appropriate language is the best approach. For example, telling a five-year-old, “This is a small button that helps your doctors give medicine in the safest way,” is far more grounding than vague reassurances. Older children may want to see diagrams or safe teaching models to satisfy their curiosity.
Medical play is an excellent tool in this process. When children practice on dolls or stuffed animals with toy versions of real medical devices, they gain familiarity and a sense of control. They can rehearse what will happen before their own appointment, which transforms an unfamiliar experience into something they already know. Research shows that medical play reduces anxiety and increases cooperation during real procedures.
Common Parent Questions
Parents naturally have many questions when faced with something as significant as a reservoir. Some of the most common include:
Will it set off alarms at the airport?
No. The reservoir is small and internal, so it does not trigger security scanners.
Can it get infected?
Any device that enters the body carries a risk of infection. Care teams teach parents the warning signs, such as fever, redness, swelling, or drainage at the site. Quick communication with the medical team is essential if anything looks unusual.
Does it hurt when accessed?
Most children describe the sensation as a strong poke or pressure. Numbing creams or distraction techniques can reduce discomfort. Over time, many children adapt and develop their own coping strategies.
How long does it stay in place?
The reservoir can remain for months or years, depending on treatment needs. When it is no longer necessary, it can be removed through a surgical procedure.
Tips from Families
Families who have already been through the process often share strategies that make a big difference in daily life. Some keep a hospital bag ready with numbing cream, a comfort blanket, and favorite toys for distraction. Others recommend asking for a child life specialist during appointments, as these professionals are trained to support children through stressful procedures. Offering children choices, even small ones like which chair to sit in, helps restore a sense of control.
Play and imagination are also powerful tools. Some children create stories about the “button in my head,” imagining it as a secret device or a symbol of strength. By reframing the reservoir through play, children can see it as something powerful rather than frightening. These coping strategies not only make procedures smoother but also build resilience for the future.
Looking Forward
Hearing that your child needs an Ommaya reservoir can feel overwhelming at first, but many families say it quickly becomes part of the routine. The device reduces the need for repeated invasive procedures, making treatment more manageable and giving doctors a reliable way to care for the brain and spinal fluid. Beyond the medical benefits, the way children experience it emotionally depends on the preparation and support they receive.
By giving space for questions, using honest explanations, and incorporating medical play, parents can help their children face this new chapter with confidence. No child should feel alone in their care journey, and no parent should feel left without tools to help. The key is balancing clear information with creativity and comfort.
At The Butterfly Pig, we design realistic and inclusive medical play support tools that help children prepare for their care in safe, approachable ways. By turning medical experiences into play, children can understand what is happening, reduce their fear, and feel empowered in their journey. The reservoir may be a tool of medicine, but how it is introduced, explained, and lived with can make all the difference.