Complications after the Ventriculo-peritoneal Shunt according to the Time Course

ABSTRACT

The Ventriculo-peritoneal(VP) shunt is effective and easy method for the treatment of hydrocephalus. But it has a high complication rate including malfunction and infection. This study seeks to find out how to reduce reoperation and complication rates of previously VP shunt-treated patients by analyzing risk factors, complication, and the relstionship with the time course. The authors reviewed 714 cases with VP shunt performed from 1986 to 1994. The risk factors of VP shunt related complications were insufficient surgical skill, younger age group, and some causes of hydrocephalus which were meningitis, neurocysticercosis, and congenital orgin. The complications including shunt malfunction were most frequent within 1 month after the initial VP shunt and were most common at the proximal site of the shunt system.