Laparoscopic surgery in children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts often require surgical interventions.
• Laparoscopic surgery offers potential benefits but raises concerns for patients with shunts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
• To determine if shunted children face increased risks of complications or technical difficulties during laparoscopic procedures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of pediatric patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery between 1995 and 1998.
• Comparison of outcomes for children with shunts versus those without shunts undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication.

Main Results:

• Ten children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts underwent laparoscopic surgery; three experienced complications unrelated to the shunt.
• No shunt dysfunction was observed in relation to the laparoscopic procedures.
• Laparoscopic fundoplication outcomes (operative time, conversion rates, complications) were similar between children with and without shunts.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic surgery is a safe and effective option for pediatric patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
• The presence of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt does not appear to increase surgical risks during laparoscopic procedures.