A Case Report on Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion Using a Novel Modification: The Receded Shunt Technique

A 36-year-old female with obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to adult-onset aqueductal stenosis and a right posterior parietal ventriculoperitoneal shunt presented with headaches and discomfort whenever the skin overlying her current valve was touched during hygiene and hair combing. She was diagnosed with a shunt malfunction and underwent removal of the previous shunt and insertion of a new shunt at the left frontal region using a novel method - the receded shunt technique. This involves creating a depression in the outer table where the shunt valve will be set to eliminate the apparent prominence of the valve. The advantages of this approach include better cosmesis, decreased skin tension, and increased patient comfort. Indeed, a simple modification such as this can provide a significant improvement to this age-old neurosurgical procedure.