Methods and Devices for Posterior Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement Surgery: 25 Years of Iterative Refinement

The posterior ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement procedure is technically efficient and cosmetically appealing. The main limitations of the posterior approach relate to the technical challenges associated with accurately placing the ventricular catheter. In this report, we describe methods and simple devices used for posterior VPS surgery that have evolved over a >25-year period to enhance catheter placement accuracy and reduce complication rates.

We describe the combination of methods and customized devices used at a single institution to perform posterior VPS surgery. Results are presented for the most recent 11-year epoch, along with a description of sources of technical errors and plans for further methodologic refinements.

The medical records and imaging studies of 468 patients undergoing posterior VPS, from 2007 to 2018 were reviewed. Ventricular catheter placement accuracy data were collected and complications were identified and recorded.

Optimal ventricular catheter placement was achieved in 98.29%. Of the remaining 1.71%, one half (0.85%) required acute revision surgery. Four patients (0.85%) developed new neurologic deficits following surgery; 2 were related to intraparenchymal hemorrhages and 2 (0.43%) as a result of a misplaced catheter. The deficits resulting from poor catheter placement were transient. The complication rates due to causes other than catheter placement accuracy compared favorably with those reported previously in the literature.

Using the methods and devices described in this series, posterior VPS operations can be performed safely with a high degree of ventricular catheter placement accuracy.