Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Migration through the Anus in a Child: Case Report and Management Algorithm
Baba Alhaji Bin Alhassan *
Department of Surgery, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana.
Kwasi Agyen-Mensah
Neurosurgery Unit, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana.
G. A. Rahman
Department of General Surgery, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana.
C. S. J. D. Makafui
Department of Surgery, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement is one of the commonest procedures undertaken by neurosurgeons to manage patients with hydrocephalus. Although shunt migration through bowel and exteriorization per anus is rare, it’s associated with about 15% mortality.
Presentation of Case: We present a six year old boy with shunt migration through the bowel and exteriorization per anus.
Discussion: The risk factors as well as management algorithm of such cases are discussed in this manuscript.
Conclusion: Although this presentation is rare, early recognition and intervention is key. It is important to stratify patients as symptomatic or asymptomatic and manage them accordingly.
Keywords: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt, hydrocephalus, shunt migration, bowel perforation, anus, complications.