Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt

After the Operation

• The patient’s vital signs and neurological status are closely monitored. Medication is given for pain. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics are given. The patient is monitored closely to ensure that the shunt is functioning properly
• Often, imaging studies such as CT scans are done after the surgery to confirm good positioning of the shunt and resolution of the hydrocephalus

Expectation after Surgery

• The outcome from the actual surgery is good. Hydrocephalus is often associated with other conditions such as brain tumours, meningitis or bleeding. These conditions would influence the patient's prognosis
• The degree of hydrocephalus prior to surgery will also affect the outcome

When

• When the shunt is infected, blocked, broken, exposed or if it is in a suboptimal position
• When the pressure valve is unsuitable resulting in either residual hydrocephalus or intracranial hypotension
• Some of the symptoms and signs to look out for include fever, headache, nausea and/or vomiting, CSF leukocytosis/hyperproteinemia/hypoglycemia, raised intracranial pressure, hydrocephalus on CT scan or collapsed ventricles with postural headache

What does it involve?

• If infected, the entire shunt tubing is removed and a temporary external ventricular drain is inserted. A permanent shunt is reinserted once the infection has cleared with antibiotics
• If blocked, the respective tubing will be replaced, either ventricular or peritoneal
• If valve is suspected to be unsuitable, a new valve with the appropriate setting is chosen and inserted