Prevention options for ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections: a retrospective analysis during a five-year period

Shunt infection is the most common and dreaded complication in patients with hydrocephalus. For the purpose of reducing the high morbidity and mortality, how to prevent is a vital step. A retrospective analysis of 384 CSF cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt procedures was undertaken from 2006 to 2010 in our neurosurgery department. Infection diagnosis was established by subjecting the CSF to biochemical and microbiological parameters. The patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, various treatment procedures and outcome were evaluated. The infection rate of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt was 12.5% in 2006, which dropped to 2% and stabilized at lower level from 2008. The most common causes of hydrocephalus were traumatic injury and brain tumor. Fever and consciousness disturbance were the major clinical symptoms. Gram-negative rods episodes was the most frequently isolated microorganisms accounting for 58%, followed by S. aureus , S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. With the removal of shunt and intravenous antibiotics therapy, 82% of the patients survived. Majority of the isolates were sensitive to the carbopenem antibiotics and vancomycin. The mean length of hospital stay was 47 days. Prompt shunt removal and perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis seems to be essential for the survival of patients with VP shunt infection.