Introduction: Implantation of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is a standard procedure in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Shunt malfunction can be due to various causes, such as failure of the peritoneal (distal) part of the shunt with a frequency of 5% to 47%.
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic and laparotomic techniques for implantation of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
Material and methods: We considered a cohort of 304 patients with hydrocephalus, acquired during a 10-year period, who underwent surgical intervention at the Neurosurgical and Surgical Clinics of the University Hospital Brno.
Results: The 304 patients underwent a total of 392 operations, of which 67 (17.1%) were performed using a laparoscopic approach and 325 (82.9%) using a laparotomic approach. In the laparotomy group, 59 (18.2%) interventions were repeated due to complications of the peritoneal part of the shunt, while in the laparoscopy group revisions accounted for only 3 cases (4.5%).
Conclusions: The laparoscopic technique significantly reduces the risk of complications of the peritoneal part of the shunt, and thus the overall complications associated with the implantation of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Laparoscopy is indicated in the case of migration of the peritoneal catheters into the abdominal cavity and is also very helpful in revisions in the case of malfunction of the peritoneal part of the shunt or in the case of previous abdominal surgery. It can explain the anatomical conditions in the abdominal cavity and it is able to treat any incidental pathology.