Complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunt in hydrocephalic children: a case report and a review of the literature

Abstract

This case study was carried out to focus on three unusual cases of complications in hydrocephalic children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPSs) – namely, intestinal obstruction and protrusions of the shunt catheters into the right hemiscrotum. These children were treated at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. Behc¸et Uz Children’s Hospital, and at the Department of Neurosurgery, Tepecik Training Hospital. Management of these patients with special emphasis on the literature pertaining to the migration of shunt catheters into the scrotum is reviewed and discussed. Complications of intestinal obstruction and protrusion of the VPS catheters into the scrotum are rarely seen in hydrocephalic children with VPSs. Early identification of these complications is recommended as they may cause life-threatening acute abdominoscrotal conditions, and prompt surgical intervention is necessary not only for immediate treatment of the child but also to ensure good quality of the patient’s life in the long term.

Keywords: complication, hydrocephalic children, ventriculoperitoneal shunt