Intraventricular hemorrhage after ventriculoperitoneal shunt revision: a retrospective review

OBJECT The authors review their ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt revisions over a 3-year period to determine the rate of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and subsequent need for re-revision. METHODS Review of medical records identified 35 pediatric patients who underwent 52 VP shunt revisions between 2009 and 2012. The presence and amount of IVH as determined by CT and the time to re-revision were documented. The reason for shunting, catheter position, and time between initial VP shunt placement and subsequent revisions were also recorded. RESULTS After 13 (25%) of the 52 revisions, IVH was evident on postoperative CT scans. The majority of patients had a trace amount of IVH, with only 2% having IVH greater than 5 ml. After 2 (15%) of the 13 revisions associated with IVH, re-revision was required within 1 month. In contrast, the re-revision rate in patients without IVH was 18%. All of the patients who developed IVH had occipital catheters. CONCLUSIONS Some degree of IVH can be expected after approximately one-quarter of all VP shunt revision procedures in pediatric patients, but the rate of significant IVH is low. Furthermore, the presence of IVH does not necessitate an early shunt revision.