Could ventriculoperitoneal shunt and tracheotomy procedures be realized in the same surgical time?

Both tracheotomy and ventriculoperitoneal shunting procedures may be required for the same critically ill patient. However, the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) may be increased if both procedures are performed simultaneously.

We performed a retrospective analysis of 41 consecutive patients who underwent both procedures simultaneously in our institution between March 2000 and January 2008.

Analysis revealed no difference in SSI rate between patients undergoing both procedures simultaneously and in staged procedures.

VP shunting and tracheotomy procedures could be performed simultaneously without increasing the risk of surgical site infection. Such strategy may shorten the length of stay in critical care units.