Abstract
Background: Bowel perforation is a serious but rare complication after a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) procedure. Prior studies have reported spontaneous bowel perforation after VPS placement in adults of up to 0.07%. Transanal catheter protrusion is a potential presentation of VPS bowel perforation and places a patient at risk for both peritonitis and ventriculitis/meningitis via retrograde migration of bacteria. This delayed complication can be fatal if unrecognized, with a 15% risk of mortality secondary to ventriculitis, peritonitis, or sepsis. Case Description: We describe a unique case of a patient with distal VPS catheter protrusion from the anus whose bowel perforation did not cause clinical sequelae of infection. We were able to manage the patient without laparotomy. Conclusions: A subset of patients can be managed without laparotomy and only with externalization of the ventricular shunt with antibiotics until the cerebrospinal fluid cultures finalize without growth.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | S1150-S1153 |
Journal | Surgical Neurology International |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 45 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2016 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Bowel perforation
- Complications
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Clinical Neurology