Colonic perforation as a complication of peritoneovenous shunt: a case report

Perforation of the left colon by a peritoneovenous shunt was diagnosed in a patient who had systemic sepsis 6 years after placement of the shunt. The patient was treated successfully by direct tapping of the shunt, which demonstrated enteric flora, and by an exploratory laparotomy, removal of the shunt, bowel resection, and colostomy. Although visceral perforations have been described with ventriculo-peritoneal shunts, we found no published report of an enteric fistula from a peritoneovenous shunt. This complication should be considered in patients with shunt malfunction.