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Updated: May 22, 2026
Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
Published on: October 14, 2022
[Risk factors for ventricular peritoneal shunt infection in pediatric patients from the hospital Carlos Van Buren]
Abigail Pena A1, Rodrigo Sandia Z, Rodrigo Riveros P
1Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
Insights
Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt (VPS) infections in pediatric patients are linked to prior ventriculitis, shunt dysfunction, and concurrent infections. Surgeon experience, not antibiotic prophylaxis, is crucial for preventing VPS infections.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Hydrocephalus management frequently involves Ventricular Peritoneal Shunts (VPS).
- Infection is a significant and common complication following VPS placement.
- Identifying risk factors for VPS infection is critical for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose:
- To identify risk factors associated with Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt (VPS) infection in pediatric patients.
- To analyze data from a case-control study conducted between 1998 and 2008 at Carlos Van Buren Hospital.
- To determine the Odds Ratio for various potential risk factors.
Summary:
- A case-control study analyzed 264 VPS procedures in 207 pediatric patients, identifying 53 infections.
- Significant risk factors for VPS infection included prior ventriculitis, VPS dysfunction, previous external ventricular shunt, concurrent infections during surgery, and lack of pediatric neurosurgery specialization.
- Antibiotic prophylaxis was not found to be a significant factor in preventing infection; neurosurgeon experience was relevant.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of neurosurgeon experience in pediatric VPS placement.
- Informs strategies for reducing infection rates in hydrocephalus treatment.
- Provides evidence-based insights for surgical protocols and training in neurosurgery.
Abstract:
Hydrocephalus is a common problem in Neurosurgery and Neurology. The usual treatment is the installation of a Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt (VPS). Infection is the most frequent and serious complication. With the aim to identify risk factors associated with infection in the post surgery of VPS in pediatric patients from Carlos Van Buren Hospital a case control study between 1998-2008 was done. Cases were patients with VPS infection reported to the Department of Nosocomial Infections. Results in contingency tables were analyzed to determine Odds Ratio. 264 surgical procedures were studied in 207 patients with 53 infections reported in 26 patients. Significant risk factors were: history of prior ventriculitis, VPS dysfunction and prior external ventricular shunt, concurrent infections at the time of surgery and a neurosurgeon without the specialty of pediatric neurosurgery. We concluded that antibiotic prophylaxis was not an important factor in preventing infection and the neurosurgeon experience is relevant to the development of VPS infections.
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