Extrusion of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Catheter through Mouth in a Two-year-old Girl: A Case Report

Abstract

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting used in the treatment for hydrocephalus is associated with several complications. Gastric perforation and extrusion of peritoneal part of VP shunt catheter through mouth is an extremely rare complication. This is a report of a management of a two-year-old girl who had extrusion of peritoneal part of VP shunt catheter through mouth. Right sided VP shunt was done for communicating hydrocephalus associated with meningitis at the age of one year. She required revision of peritoneal part of shunt for extrusion of peritoneal catheter through the abdominal healed scar, 3 months after the placement of VP shunt. At the age of two-year she was admitted with bouts of vomiting and cough, followed by peroral extrusion of peritoneal part of VP shunt catheter. She was managed with removal of peroral extruded part of the shunt, external ventricular drainage, and delayed shunt revision. Three weeks later, she was admitted again with a history of extrusion of part of VP shunt catheter through abdominal wound, and was managed with re-insertion of peritoneal catheter in to the peritoneal cavity through a different abdominal site. At last follow-up done two months later, she was doing well and her abdominal wounds were also healed well. The intention of reporting this case is its rarity.