Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2016 , Vol 26 , Num 1
Evaluation of Shunt-related Complications in Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Performed with a Hydrocephalus Diagnosis of 47 Cases
Ahmet EROĞLU1, Metehan ESEOĞLU2, Ekrem YALÇIN3, Cem ATABEY4
1Van Asker Hastanesi, Beyin ve Sinir Cerrahi Servisi, Van, Türkiye
2Medipol Hastanesi, Beyin ve Sinir Cerrahi Servisi, İstanbul, Türkiye
3Lokman Hekim Hastanesi, Beyin ve Sinir Cerrahi Servisi, Van, Türkiye
4Diyarbakır Asker Hastanesi, Beyin ve Sinir Cerrahi Servisi, Diyarbakır, Türkiye
AIM: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is widely used in the treatment of hydrocephalus caused by the accumulation of excess amounts of cerebrospinal fluid in enlarged ventricles and the subarachnoid space. The aim of this study was to present shunt-related complications and the measures to be taken to reduce them.

MATERIAL and METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 47 pediatric patients treated with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt diagnosis of hydrocephalus between March 2011 and May 2014.

RESULTS: 46.8% of the cases (n = 22) were female and 53.2% (n = 25) were male. The mean age was 4.1 years (newborn -14 years). The rate of midline congenital anomalies such as myelomeningocele was higher due to the high rate of pediatric patients. We performed shunt revision in 17 patients and three of them were treated with two revisions. The most common reason for revision was occlusion-induced ventricular shunt dysfunction at the shunt tip with 12.7% (n = 6). The shunt infection rate was 10.6% (n = 5), occlusion of peritoneal tip 6.3% (n = 3), and the ventricular tip being outside the ventricle 4.2% (n = 2) 4.2% (n = 2). Shunt revision was performed due to excessive function of the pump and slit ventricle development in 2.1% (n = 1).

CONCLUSION: Treatment of hydrocephalus with ventriculoperitoneal shunt is a method with high revision rates. In spite of this high rate of revision, ventriculoperitoneal shunt treatment is effective. Investigation of the causes of revision and reducing their incidence will decrease the frequency of complications and therefore hospitalization time and cost. Anahtar Kelimeler : Hydrocephalus, Infection, Ventriculoperitoneal, shunt, Complications, Revisions