[Anal migration of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt catheter. Apropos of 3 cases]

Three cases of abdominal catheter migration through the anus following ventriculo-peritoneal shunt are described. Two cases involved hydrocephalus secondary to tuberculous meningitis and the third myelomeningocele. Among the reasons for migration, the length of the abdominal catheter, trauma during the operation and infection must be taken into consideration. One patient was suffering from meningitis at the time of admission, while the two others were asymptomatic. Treatment involved removing the peritoneal catheter in 2 cases and the entire shunt system in the patient with meningitis. The shunt was replaced one to two weeks later. The outcome was favourable in all three cases.