Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection after bladder augmentation

To examine the incidence of postoperative ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections in patients after augmentation cystoplasty.

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 21 patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt who had bladder augmentation (18 ileal and 3 ileocecal) with attention to the preoperative urine culture, perioperative antibiotics, and the length of time drains were maintained. The abdominal end of all shunts was wrapped in an antibiotic-soaked sponge during the procedure. All patients had at least 1 year of follow-up.

Seven patients (33%) had culture proven, preoperative urinary tract infections. All patients received at least 24 hours of preoperative and 48 hours of postoperative antibiotics. No postoperative shunt infections occurred during the study period.

The incidence of postoperative ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections after augmentation cystoplasty can be kept low when prophylactic antibiotics and short-term drains are used.