Complications and Outcome in Patients With Hydrocephalus Who Have Had a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Implanted

Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement is one of the most commonly performed neurosurgical procedures and is necessary for the treatment of most forms of hydrocephalus.

The aim of the study was to determine demographic indicators, comorbidities, complications and outcome of patients with hydrocephalus after ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation.

This is a retrospective study. Data on the subjects' age, gender, symptoms, degree of disability, complications, comorbidities and outcome after ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation were recorded. All patients were clinically examined by neurologists and neurosurgeons and diagnosed through unified and standardized algorithms according to established guidelines for hydrocephalus. Cognitive functionality was assessed according to the Mini Mental State Test. Urinary incontinence was assessed based on patients' subjective feelings. Data on comorbidities and complications were collected from the patients' medical records. The degree of disability was assessed using the modified Rankin scale.

The average age of the subjects was 58.7 years, and the highest frequency of subjects was in the age group over 61 years (62.2%). There was no statistically significant difference in age in men (X=54.69, SD=18.77), or women (X=60.88, SD=19.96); t (35)=0.8, p=0.3. A statistically significant number of patients with hydrocephalus had a lower degree of disability after ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation (p<0.05). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity with hydrocephalus (35.1%). Pneumonia was the most common general complication in patients with hydrocephalus (8.1%). Females had a statistically significantly worse survival (p=0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the outcome of hydrocephalus patients in relation to age groups, comorbidities, general and complications after ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation (p>0.05).

Patients with hydrocephalus after ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation have a lower degree of disability, and female patients have statistically significantly worse survival. Hypertension is the most common comorbidity, and pneumonia the most common complication in patients with hydrocephalus. There is no statistically significant difference in the outcome of hydrocephalus patients in relation to age groups, comorbidities, general and complications after ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation.