Cerebrospinal fluid shunts for hydrocephalus and related disorders
Ito, M.; Houkin, K.; Saito, H.; Shimbo, D.; Motegi, H.; Kawabori, M.; Miyamoto, M.; Yamauchi, T.
No Shinkei Geka. Neurological Surgery 40(10): 923-945
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-2603 PMID: 23045407 Document Number: 662545
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts are commonly employed to treat patients with hydrocephalus. A large number of papers have been published focusing on complications and failures of CSF shunts. However, there appears to be a paucity of knowledge comprehensively covering both common complications and rare ones. In this systematic review, we surveyed articles about surgical complications of CSF shunts as comprehensively as possible. Quantitative analysis was performed to determine the frequency of well-known complications, mortality and revision rates of CSF shunts. Furthermore, rare complications of CSF shunts have also been reviewed.