Laparoscopic removal of two dislocated ventriculoperitoneal catheters: case report

In a child two previously migrated abdominal catheters from ventriculoperitoneal shunts were removed from the abdominal cavity by use of laparoscopy. Avoiding the usually longitudinal laparatomy, two small incisions were necessary to insert the laparoscope (sub-umbilical incision) and grasping forceps (left iliac pit incision). Laparoscopy allowed for identification of a working ventriculoperitoneal shunt, that was correctly in place, and for removal of two old migrated catheters. The child was mobilized the same day and the post-operative course was uneventful.