Laparoscopic revision of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are the most common treatment modality for hydrocephalus. Distal catheter malfunction represents a surgical emergency and a significant cause of procedural morbidity. We report the case of a patient with acute abdominal pain following VP shunt insertion. On examination she had a tender, irreducible bulge at the abdominal laparotomy site. Exploratory laparoscopy of the abdomen yielded no abdominal wall abnormalities. At the same time, the distal catheter was noted to be absent. The abdominal bulge was incised along the laparotomy scar and clear cerebrospinal fluid was encountered. The incision was explored and the distal catheter was coiled and knotted within the preperitoneal space. The catheter was laparoscopically returned to the peritoneal cavity. This case exemplifies the utility of laparoscopy for VP shunt revision and we present a review of laparoscopic shunt revision.