VENTRICULOPERITONEAL SHUNT BLOCKAGE
Abstract
Background: Hydrocephalus is the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within theventricles and subarachnoid spaces, resulting in increased intracranial pressure. The treatment ofchoice is placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt blockage is not anuncommon complication. Objective of the study was to find out the frequency, causes and site ofventriculoperitoneal blockage and to compare it with other studies. Methods: This case seriesstudy was conducted at Department of Neurosurgery Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro, fromApril 2008 to March 2012. The records of 53 patients between 40 days to 45 years age presentingwith blocked ventriculoperitoneal shunt were included. All the patients underwent thoroughclinical examination and radiological investigations, and shunt revision done. The retrieved datawas collected on proforma. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical data.Results: Out of 53 patients 28 were males, 25 patients were females. Age of patients ranged from40 days to 45 years. Time interval between the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt placement andblockage of shunt ranged from 2 weeks to 9 years. Out of 53 patients, 32 (69.37%) patients hadobstruction at distal catheter, whereas 21 (39.62%) patients had ventricular catheter blockage.Conclusion: Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt blockage is one of the most common complications ofshunt placement procedure. In this study most of the patients (69.37%) had distal catheterobstruction. Majority (35.84%) of the patients presented with shunt obstruction within one year ofshunt placement. Shunt obstruction is common in children less than 3 years age.Keywords: VP shunt, obstruction of shunt, revisionReferences
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