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[The abdominal complications of ventriculoperitoneal diversions]
J J Olías1, F Vázquez, F J Pizarro
1Hospital de Niños Reina Sofía, Servicio Cirugía Pediátrica, Córdoba.
Insights
Ventriculoperitoneal shunts in children with hydrocephalus can lead to abdominal complications. Intraperitoneal catheter displacement and intestinal perforation are the most common issues, requiring careful monitoring and management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Gastroenterology
Context:
- Hydrocephalus management in children often involves ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
- Abdominal complications associated with these shunts present a significant clinical challenge.
- Understanding these complications is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose:
- To report and analyze abdominal complications in pediatric hydrocephalus patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
- To detail the types of pathologies and complications encountered.
- To compare findings with international literature.
Summary:
- This study reviewed 25 cases of abdominal complications in 16 children with hydrocephalus and ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
- The most frequent complication was intraperitoneal catheter displacement.
- Other complications included intestinal perforation, extrusion, volvulus, and pseudocyst formation.
Impact:
- Highlights the spectrum of abdominal complications following ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement in pediatric hydrocephalus.
- Provides insights into the management of shunt-related gastrointestinal issues.
- Contributes to the body of evidence guiding surgical practice and patient care.
Abstract:
We report several cases of abdominal complications in hydrocephalus children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts implanted by different ethnology, as well as the pathology produced. The number of children affected was 16, although some of them had suffered more than one complication, making up a total of 25 cases. The most frequent trouble was due to the intraperitoneal catheter fall, followed by intestinal perforation at different levels, allowing the catheter to get out through the anus, abdominal wall or surgical incision. Some intestinal occlusive situations was due to either volvulus or external compression caused by cerebrospinal fluid abdominal pseudocysts, secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunt. We took different characteristics of this group of patients and studied the different complications in relation with specialized reports by international authors.