Laparoscopic-assisted placement of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt tips in children with multiple previous open abdominal ventriculo-peritoneal shunt surgeries. 2009

B W Johnson, and A Pimpalwar
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Childrens Hospital Missouri Healthcare, Columbia, MO, USA.

BACKGROUND Placing a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in children with hydrocephalus is the standard of care. Many of these children will require revision of this portion of the shunt for a variety of reasons. Previously, it was thought that in a child with multiple previous ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPS) revisions, laparoscopy was contraindicated. This study aims to show that laparoscopy can be used safely and effectively in children with multiple previous ventriculo-peritoneal shunt surgeries. METHODS Laparoscopically assisted placement of the peritoneal portion of the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in children with multiple previous VPS revisions was performed in 8 consecutive children (4 female) with ages ranging from 7 months to 18 years between May 2003 and September 2007. All eight children had undergone more than two previous VPS operations. All shunts were placed in areas free of adhesions and flow was observed under direct visualization. RESULTS All of the procedures were successful; none needed conversion to the standard mini-laparotomy approach. No obvious or occult injury to the abdominal components was noted during hospitalization or during follow-up. Six of 8 patients required lysis of adhesions at the time of the revision. Average length of hospital stay was 2.6 days and no revisions of the abdominal portion of the VPS have been required by any of the 8 patients after laparoscopic revision. Previously unknown complications of shunt surgery were corrected in 1 of 8 children. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic placement of the peritoneal portion of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt can be done safely and effectively in children with multiple previous VPS revisions due to improved visualization and placement of the shunt tip in a virgin area of the abdomen. Additionally, any known or unknown complications from previous VPS surgeries can be corrected with the laparoscopic approach. When combined with the reduction in pain, shorter hospital stay, and fewer immediate and future complications, this is the procedure of choice for patients requiring revision VPS surgeries in our hospital.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D008297 Male Males
D010535 Laparoscopy A procedure in which a laparoscope (LAPAROSCOPES) is inserted through a small incision near the navel to examine the abdominal and pelvic organs in the PERITONEAL CAVITY. If appropriate, biopsy or surgery can be performed during laparoscopy. Celioscopy,Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures,Peritoneoscopy,Surgical Procedures, Laparoscopic,Laparoscopic Assisted Surgery,Laparoscopic Surgery,Laparoscopic Surgical Procedure,Procedure, Laparoscopic Surgical,Procedures, Laparoscopic Surgical,Surgery, Laparoscopic,Surgical Procedure, Laparoscopic,Celioscopies,Laparoscopic Assisted Surgeries,Laparoscopic Surgeries,Laparoscopies,Peritoneoscopies,Surgeries, Laparoscopic,Surgeries, Laparoscopic Assisted,Surgery, Laparoscopic Assisted
D012086 Reoperation A repeat operation for the same condition in the same patient due to disease progression or recurrence, or as followup to failed previous surgery. Revision, Joint,Revision, Surgical,Surgery, Repeat,Surgical Revision,Repeat Surgery,Revision Surgery,Joint Revision,Revision Surgeries,Surgery, Revision
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D004868 Equipment Failure Failure of equipment to perform to standard. The failure may be due to defects or improper use. Defects, Equipment,Device Failure,Failure, Equipment,Malfunction, Equipment,Medical Device Failure,Misuse, Equipment,Device Failure, Medical,Device Failures, Medical,Failure, Medical Device,Failures, Medical Device,Defect, Equipment,Device Failures,Equipment Defect,Equipment Defects,Equipment Failures,Equipment Malfunction,Equipment Malfunctions,Equipment Misuse,Equipment Misuses,Failure, Device,Failures, Device,Failures, Equipment,Malfunctions, Equipment,Misuses, Equipment
D005240 Feasibility Studies Studies to determine the advantages or disadvantages, practicability, or capability of accomplishing a projected plan, study, or project. Feasibility Study,Studies, Feasibility,Study, Feasibility
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

Related Publications

B W Johnson, and A Pimpalwar
June 2009, European journal of pediatric surgery : official journal of Austrian Association of Pediatric Surgery ... [et al] = Zeitschrift fur Kinderchirurgie,
B W Johnson, and A Pimpalwar
January 2005, Journal of investigative surgery : the official journal of the Academy of Surgical Research,
B W Johnson, and A Pimpalwar
July 2016, JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association,
B W Johnson, and A Pimpalwar
August 1992, The Australian and New Zealand journal of surgery,
B W Johnson, and A Pimpalwar
September 1972, The Journal of urology,
B W Johnson, and A Pimpalwar
October 1988, Journal of pediatric surgery,
B W Johnson, and A Pimpalwar
October 2012, Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques. Part A,
B W Johnson, and A Pimpalwar
September 1973, Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association (1975),
B W Johnson, and A Pimpalwar
March 2008, The Libyan journal of medicine,
Copied contents to your clipboard!