Pneumothorax during Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Operation: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Ventriculoperitoneal shunts are currently believed to be a safe standard therapy for hydrocephalus. However, these procedures have been associated with many complications such as infections, ascites, abdominal visceral perforation, and hydrothorax etc. We report an extremely rare complication during a right ventriculoperitoneal shunting for a 70-year male patient. The patient developed tachycardia, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and an increased airway pressure after inserting the shunt device into the peritoneal cavity. The emergency chest X-ray revealed a right pneumothorax, which was relieved by chest tube air drainage.