Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt transfers cerebrospinal fluid
from the lateral ventricles of the brain to the peritoneum
via subcutaneous tubing. VP shunt implantation is the most
widely used treatment for the management of hydrocephalus
[2]. Although VP shunting reduces the mortality and
morbidity of hydrocephalus, there are potential shunt complications
such as infection, obstruction, mechanical disconnection,
and breakage. These complications may cause
shunt failure and reoperations [22]. The long-term studies
show that 45% to 59% of all patients require surgical
revisions [5].
VP shunt infections are serious complications. Infections
of the catheter may spread into the abdomen by ascending
direction or into the brain ventricles by descending direction
and may threaten life. The incidence of shunt infection ranges
from 1% to 29% [3, 20]. Therapeutic modalities for the
treatment of shunt infections vary from only antibiotic treatment
to IV antibiotics with removal of the infected shunt.