Bowel perforation after ventriculoperitoneal-shunt placement: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Bowel perforation by a peritoneal catheter (BPPC) is a serious complication after ventriculoperitoneal shunting, with high mortality and morbidity rates. This patient presented with scalp ulceration over the shunt valve at the retromastoid region 26 years after shunt placement. During revision, the catheter distal to the valve was divided in the clavicular region. As there was no cerebrospinal fluid drainage, we decided to remove the ventricular catheter and valve. The ulceration was debrided and primarily closed. Distal to the clavicle, the disconnected peritoneal catheter was encased in a fibrous, calcified tunnel. To avoid piecemeal resection with multiple incisions, the catheter was not retrieved. Two years later, the patient presented with an abscess and pus draining from the clavicular wound. Cultures were positive for enteric bacteria. BPPC with retrograde spread of infection was suspected, and abdominal computed tomography confirmed perforation. We removed the disconnected catheter, but the perforation site could not be detected during laparotomy. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and recovered without complications. To minimize complications, abandoned catheters should be avoided. Otherwise, patients unnecessarily have a life-long risk of developing abdominal complications. In patients with abandoned catheters and severe abdominal symptoms, BPPC is an important differential diagnosis.

Keywords

• hydrocephalus
• abdominal complications
• abandoned catheters
• bowel perforation