Ventriculoperitoneal shunt in the treatment of hydrocephalus in children. Results and complications
Fandiño Rivera, J.; Botana López, C.; Viladrich Carreira, A.; Quintela Bermúdez, J.L.; Antelo Cortizas, J.; Gómez Bueno, J.
Anales Espanoles de Pediatria 32(4): 325-328
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0302-4342 PMID: 2368996 Document Number: 362483
Shunting the ventricular fluid to a body cavity out side the cranium is the preferred method of treatment of progressive hydrocephalus of whatever cause. The distal end of the shunt should be in the peritoneal cavity or in the right atrium by way of the jugular vein and superior vena cava. The advantages of peritoneal over atrial placement of the distal catheter are: avoidance of cardiopulmonary complications: faster and simpler placement of the distal catheter; space to place a longer distal catheter, prolonging the interval before revision. A series of 173 extracranial cerebrospinal fluid shunts (CSF) performed between 1978 and 1986 for hydrocephalus in children is reviewed. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt was used essentially. The most common complications we catheter obstruction peritoneal and ventricular.