[Complications of shunt drainage in pediatric hydrocephalus]

The most frequently occurring complications of the atrial and peritoneal drainage for the treatment of the hydrocephalus are represented and some rare causes of revision are described. Then follows a list of the more frequently occurring shunt incidents in the valve implantations carried out at our hospital in the period from 1963 to 1986. A total of 387 drainage operations are analysed, including 155 ventriculo-atrial and 232 ventriculo-peritoneal drainages. Then follows a description of the course of the therapy of three patients in whom relatively rare complications were observed. In view of the significantly lower sepsis incidence of 8.2 per cent as compared to 16.1 per cent in the atrial drainage, the peritoneal drainage proved to be superior to the latter. The consideration of the Cordis-Hakim- and Spitz-Holter-systems frequently used at present showed no essential differences of the respective results of the treatments. Our experience gained in the treatment of the hydrocephalus are discussed in comparison with the international statements.