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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
Acta Neurochirurgica
|September 30, 2004
Summary
Lumboperitoneal shunts offer symptom relief for conditions like hydrocephalus but have high complication rates. High revision rates and adverse events suggest re-evaluation of this treatment strategy.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Devices
- Patient Outcomes
Background:
- Lumboperitoneal shunts are utilized for benign intracranial hypertension, CSF leaks, and hydrocephalus.
- While effective for symptom resolution, these shunts present significant disadvantages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the complication and revision rates associated with lumboperitoneal shunt insertion.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records for 21 patients who underwent lumboperitoneal shunt insertion.
- Data collected on shunt revisions, infections, and development of Chiari malformation.
Main Results:
- A high revision rate of 85.7% (63 revisions across 18 patients) was observed.
- Shunt-related infections occurred in 7 patients, and 7 patients developed Chiari malformation, with 2 requiring further intervention.
Conclusions:
- Lumboperitoneal shunts demonstrate high complication and revision rates, deemed unacceptably high.
- Re-evaluation of the lumboperitoneal shunt technique and consideration of alternative treatments are recommended.