Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
Published on: October 14, 2022
Lumboperitoneal shunts: are the complications acceptable?
K Karabatsou1, G Quigley, N Buxton
1Department of Neurosurgery, Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Liverpool, United Kingdom. k.karabatsou@btopenworld.com
Background:
Lumboperitoneal shunts have long been used in the treatment of benign intracranial hypertension, postoperative pseudomeningocele, CSF leak and communicating hydrocephalus. Although they can provide a rapid and effective resolution of the symptoms there are major disadvantages associated with their use.
Method:
We retrospectively analyzed the records of 21 patients who underwent LP shunt insertion in our institution during the study period.
Findings:
Eighteen patients (85.7%) underwent at least one shunt revision with a total of 63 revisions. Shunt related infections were observed in 7 cases and 7 patients developed Chiari malformation, 2 (9%) of these requiring further treatment.
Conclusions:
Despite the symptomatic control achieved with lumboperitoneal shunts we find the complication and revision rates unacceptably high. The technique should be re-evaluated and other treatment strategies considered.
