The use of peritoneoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunts in children

Abstract

Abdominal complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunts used for hydrocephalus have been diagnosed and treated by peritoneoscopy in six instances. In four children, lost catheters were retrieved, and in two cases malfunction was treated. This technique was curative in each instance, thus avoiding total shunt replacement and formal laparotomy.