The Analysis of Complications after Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt for Hydrocephalus

ABSTRACT

The authors analyzed 98 shunting procedures in 62 patients with hydrocephalus, who were managed by ventriculoperitoneal shunt. There were 48 complications among 62 hydrocephalics, and 36 more surgical procedures were performed for 18 revision patients (36.7% over 98 procedures). With regard to frequency, the major complications of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt were the blockage of the catheter (15.3%), infection (8.2%), seizure (7.1%) and the other complications related to shunt device(6.1%). The revision rate in infants with congenital hydrocephauls was not higher than that in older children and adults. There was no significant difference at the level of initial ventricular fluid protein and white blood cell count between initial success group and revision group. The occurrence of seizure after ventriculopertioneal shunt was statistically not significant(P>0.05), and causes of the hydrocephalus might be related to occurrence of seizure.