Hydrocephalus Ventriculo Peritoneal Shunt Experience At Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore

Abstract

Sixty patients of hydrocephalus were treated with Ventriculo-Peritoneal shunt (VP) over a period of 4 years (1993-97) at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. There were 50 children and 10 adult patients. Among children the commonest cause of hydrocephalus was congenital idiopathic variety (38%), while in adults major cause of hydrocephalus was subarachanoid haemorrhage. Other less common causes included posterior fossae tumors, hydrocephalus associated with myelomengocele and Dandy-Walker syndrome. The shunt surgery was performed in all patients, and the results were satisfactory. Incidence of complications was low Shunt was blocked in 3.3% patients (which necessitated revision), wound dehiscence occurred in 6.7% cases, allergic skin reaction to silicone in 3.3% cases, and penetration of bowel in a single patient. There was a single mortality died. These results speak for safety of shunt surgery in hydrocephalic patients, both adults as well as children.