Risk Of Shunt Infection Research Articles

Revision and Infection Rate in 728 Shunt-Treated Adult Hydrocephalus Patients—a Single-Center Retrospective Study

Hydrocephalus is a common diagnosis worldwide that is treated with shunts and is associated with potential life-threatening risks of shunt dysfunction and infection. We investigated differences in rates of shunt revisions and infections including various factors in patients with different causes of hydrocephalus. We also studied causes of infections and efficacy of perioperative antibiotic regimens. Our objective was to identify patients at risk of higher revision and infection rates after shunt treatment. We conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study including 728 adult patients who underwent shunt surgery between 2013 and 2019 at our center. Overall revision rate was 20.1%, and infection rate was 4.8%. Infection was detected in 24% of all revisions. The main location for a positive culture was cerebrospinal fluid (67.5%), frequently caused by Cutibacterium acnes (60%). Younger age and prior shunts were the only predictors confirmed in multivariate Cox regression as significantly increasing the risk of revision surgery. Multivariate Cox regression analysis of infection risk factors showed that obstructive hydrocephalus, prior shunt, and cloxacillin significantly increased risk of shunt infection. We found revision and infection rates in accordance with other studies. We showed a significantly increased risk in younger patients. Previous shunts also increased the risk of revisions and infections. We showed a small but significant effect of perioperative prophylaxis with broader-spectrum antibiotics compared with cloxacillin. Our study identified a group of younger patients with congenital hydrocephalus and prior implants with an increased risk of shunt infection in whom additional preventive measures should be employed.

Attenuated inflammatory response in infant mice with Staphylococcus epidermidis CNS catheter infection

Children under one year of age are consistently found to be at the highest risk for shunt infection as a complication of hydrocephalus treatment, and repeated infections in the same patient are common. The mechanisms responsible for the increase in infant infection are not known. Our laboratory adapted our existing mouse model of Staphylococcus epidermidis central nervous system (CNS) catheter infection to characterize infection in infant mice as a foundation of on-going studies to determine the mechanisms of increased morbidity in infant shunt infections. The well-established model of S. epidermidis biofilm infection in the CNS was adapted to generate infection in 14-day old C57BL/6 mice. The catheter preparation was identical to the adult model, in which silicone catheters are pre-coated with a clinically derived biofilm-forming strain of S. epidermidis strain 1457) to introduce S. epidermidis into the brain. The catheters are stereotactically implanted into the lateral left ventricle. Bacterial titers as well as cytokine and chemokine levels were measured at days 1, 3, and 5 in mice implanted with sterile and S. epidermidis-coated catheters. Cultures demonstrated both catheter-associated and parenchymal infection through day 5 post-implantation. In contrast to prior adult models of CNS catheter infection, however, the catheter-associated bacterial burdens were less than or equal to parenchymal bacterial burdens. There was no significant difference between the chemokine and cytokine levels in the brain tissues of pups with sterile versus S. epidermidis infected catheters for any of the analytes tested. The infant model of S. epidermidis CNS catheter infection is characterized by both a greater degree of parenchymal spread of bacteria and the absence of the elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines previously observed in adult mice with this infection. The attenuated inflammatory response may contribute to the increased infection risk observed in this population.

Risk Factors Associated with Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt Infections and their Clinical Outcome in Children: A Case-Control Study of the Past 5 Years

Objectives: To determine the risk factors associated with the development of ventricular peritoneal shunt infection and time to infection, as the number of days from most recent shunt intervention to the diagnosis of the infection and clinical outcomes and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in children admitted with the ventricular peritoneal shunt. Study Design: Retrospective case-control study Place and duration of study: Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Pakistan between January 2015 to December 2020 Results: A total of 460 patients of ages 0-20 years with ventricular peritoneal shunt were selected. Out of 460, 52 individuals met the criteria of the case and were recruited for the study. The findings from multivariable logistic regression, after accounting for potential confounding factors, indicated that the odds of shunt infection were extremely high for patients undergoing surgery in the current admission (adjusted OR 167.3, 95% CI: 8.96 – 3130.86). Likewise, the odds of infection were approximately 12 times more for patients with fever (95% CI: 1.28 – 113.26) and tory of shunt removal (95% CI: 2.06– 67.20). Conclusion: Through a thorough analysis of medical records, the study revealed that several risk factors, such as younger age, previous shunt infections, surgery in current admission, shunt removal/replacement, previous revisions, current complication and fever were associated with a higher risk of shunt infection. Keywords: Risk factors, ventricular peritoneal, shunt infections, clinical outcome,

Factors affecting ventriculoperitoneal shunt revision: a post hoc analysis of the British Antibiotic and Silver Impregnated Catheter Shunt multicenter randomized controlled trial.

The British Antibiotic and Silver Impregnated Catheter Shunt (BASICS) trial established level I evidence of the superiority of antibiotic-impregnated catheters in the prevention of infection of newly implanted ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPSs). A wealth of patient, shunt, and surgery-specific data were collected from trial participants beyond that of the prespecified trial objectives. This post hoc analysis of the BASICS survival data explores the impact of patient age, hydrocephalus etiology, catheter type, valve type, and previous external ventricular drain on the risk of infection or mechanical failure. Time to failure was analyzed using Fine and Gray survival regression models for competing risk. Among 1594 participants, 75 patients underwent revision for infection and 323 for mechanical failure. Multivariable analysis demonstrated an increased risk of shunt infection associated with patient ages < 1 month (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] 4.48, 95% CI 2.06-9.72; p < 0.001) and 1 month to < 1 year (sHR 2.67, 95% CI 1.27-5.59; p = 0.009), as well as for adults with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (sHR 2.75, 95% CI 1.21-6.26; p = 0.016). Age ≥ 65 years was found to be independently associated with reduced infection risk (sHR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10-0.69; p = 0.007). Antibiotic-impregnated catheter use was also associated with reduced infection risk (sHR 0.43, 95% CI 0.22-0.84; p = 0.014). Independent risk factors predisposing to mechanical failure were age < 1 month (sHR 1.51, 95% CI 1.03-2.21; p = 0.032) and 1 month to < 1 year (sHR 1.31, 95% CI 0.95-1.81; p = 0.046). Age ≥ 65 years was demonstrated to be the only independent protective factor against mechanical failure risk (sHR 0.64, 95% CI 0.40-0.94; p = 0.024). Age is the predominant risk for VPS revision for infection and/or mechanical failure, with neonates and infants being the most vulnerable.

Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a common adult neurosurgical condition typically requiring treatment with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt, of which the ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is the most common type. Unfortunately, the failure rates of VP shunts are alarmingly high, with up to 50% of patients requiring revision surgery within 2 years. VP shunt failure may occur due to infection, or catheter mispositioning, migration, and occlusion. We undertook a joint neurosurgery and general surgery collaboration in a 7-year prospective non-randomized consecutive quality improvement cohort study to reduce the rates of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt failures in 224 adult patients at a tertiary care institution. The initiative combined the use of electromagnetic stereotactic neuronavigation to guide the placement of the proximal catheter and laparoscopy to place the distal catheter under direct visualization. With laparoscopic assistance, the distal catheter was anchored through a small hole created in the falciform ligament and placed into the right retrohepatic space, free from the omentum, adhesions, or bowel that might obstruct the catheter tip. The surgeries were performed using a shunt infection prevention protocol to reduce the risk of shunt infections. Here, we present an intraoperative video of the surgical procedure. Compliance with shunt infection reduction strategies and the combined utilization of neuronavigation and laparoscopy techniques in adult VP shunt surgery resulted in a 44% reduction in the risk of overall shunt failure. The significant positive impact with regard to shunt-failure-free patient outcomes among patients who underwent VP shunt surgery using this strategy underscores the value associated with the use of these modern intraoperative techniques and cross-specialty collaboration during VP shunt surgery.

Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a common adult neurosurgical condition typically requiring treatment with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt, of which the ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is the most common type. Unfortunately, the failure rates of VP shunts are alarmingly high, with up to 50% of patients requiring revision surgery within 2 years. VP shunt failure may occur due to infection, or catheter mispositioning, migration, and occlusion. We undertook a joint neurosurgery and general surgery collaboration in a 7-year prospective non-randomized consecutive quality improvement cohort study to reduce the rates of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt failures in 224 adult patients at a tertiary care institution. The initiative combined the use of electromagnetic stereotactic neuronavigation to guide the placement of the proximal catheter and laparoscopy to place the distal catheter under direct visualization. With laparoscopic assistance, the distal catheter was anchored through a small hole created in the falciform ligament and placed into the right retrohepatic space, free from the omentum, adhesions, or bowel that might obstruct the catheter tip. The surgeries were performed using a shunt infection prevention protocol to reduce the risk of shunt infections. Here, we present an intraoperative video of the surgical procedure. Compliance with shunt infection reduction strategies and the combined utilization of neuronavigation and laparoscopy techniques in adult VP shunt surgery resulted in a 44% reduction in the risk of overall shunt failure. The significant positive impact with regard to shunt-failure-free patient outcomes among patients who underwent VP shunt surgery using this strategy underscores the value associated with the use of these modern intraoperative techniques and cross-specialty collaboration during VP shunt surgery.

The Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network quality improvement initiative: the role of antibiotic-impregnated catheters and vancomycin wound irrigation.

Two previous Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN) studies have demonstrated that compliance with a standardized CSF shunt infection protocol reduces shunt infections. In this third iteration, a simplified protocol consisting of 5 steps was implemented. This analysis provides an updated evaluation of protocol compliance and evaluates modifiable shunt infection risk factors. The new simplified protocol was implemented at HCRN centers on November 1, 2016, for all shunt procedures, excluding external ventricular drains, ventricular reservoirs, and subgaleal shunts. Procedures performed through December 31, 2019, were included (38 months). Compliance with the protocol, use of antibiotic-impregnated catheters (AICs), and other variables of interest were collected at the index operation. Outcome events for a minimum of 6 months postoperatively were recorded. The definition of infection was unchanged from the authors' previous report. A total of 4913 procedures were performed at 13 HCRN centers. The overall infection rate was 5.1%. Surgeons were compliant with all 5 steps of the protocol in 79.4% of procedures. The infection rate for the protocol alone was 8.1% and dropped to 4.9% when AICs were added. Multivariate analysis identified having ≥ 2 complex chronic conditions (odds ratio [OR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-2.44, p = 0.01) and a history of prior shunt surgery within 12 weeks (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.37-2.47, p < 0.01) as independent risk factors for shunt infection. The use of AICs (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50-0.97, p = 0.05) and vancomycin irrigation (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.21-0.62, p < 0.01) were identified as independent factors protective against shunt infection. The authors report the third iteration of their quality improvement protocol to reduce the risk of shunt infection. Compliance with the protocol was high. These updated data suggest that the incorporation of AICs is an important, modifiable infection prevention measure. Vancomycin irrigation was also identified as a protective factor but requires further study to better understand its role in preventing shunt infection.

Effect of topical and intraventricular antibiotics used during ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion on the rate of shunt infection-a meta-analysis.

The ventriculoperitoneal shunt is one of the most commonly performed neurosurgical procedures. One of the avoidable complications of shunt surgery is shunt infection. This PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis analysed the effectiveness of topical and/or intraventricular antibiotics in preventing shunt infections in patients undergoing shunt surgery. Four databases were searched from inception to 30th June 2021. Only original articles comparing the rate of shunt infection with and without antibiotics were included. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to compare the effect of the use of antibiotics in preventing infection and subgroup analysis for finding differences in various antibiotics. The rate of shunt infection was 2.24% (53 out of 2362) in the topical antibiotic group in comparison to 5.24% (145 out of 2764) in the control group (p = 0.008). Subgroup analysis revealed that there is no significant difference between the antibiotics used. Our meta-analysis found that the risk of shunt infection is significantly reduced with the use of topical and intraventricular antibiotics without any serious adverse effect. No side effects of topical or intraventricular antibiotics were reported in the included studies. Further prospective studies are required to establish the safety and optimal dosage of topical antibiotics for them to be used routinely in neurosurgical practice. They can be used in patients at high risk of developing shunt infections till such studies are available.

379 Timing of Intra-abdominal Surgery and Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement in the Pediatric Population: Risk of Shunt Infection

INTRODUCTION: Patients requiring placement of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt during the first year of life often have other comorbidities necessitating additional intra-abdominal surgeries during this first year. Some have suggested that the temporal proximity and sequence of these procedures may lead to a higher risk of subsequent shunt infection; however, data supporting such suggestions have proven limited and inconsistent. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all children during the first year of life who underwent both a VP shunt and an intra-abdominal procedure at a single institution between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2018. We examined the impact of timing as well as sequence of surgeries (VP shunt first versus intra-abdominal procedure first) on shunt infection rates within 1 year of the last procedure. We additionally examined the effect of gestation age, birth weight, and placement of a prior ventricular reservoir on shunt infection. RESULTS: We identified 53 total patients undergoing both procedures with 16 having the intra-abdominal procedure first compared to 33 having the VP shunt first. Patients who had the intra-abdominal procedure first had a significantly higher rate of infection – 44% (7 of 16 patients) – compared to those who had the VP shunt first – 3% (1 of 33 patients). Further analysis failed to attribute this difference in shunt infection rate to differences in gestational age, birth weight, or time between the procedures. CONCLUSION: In our study, for patients needing both a VP shunt and a separate intra-abdominal surgery, the order of surgery greatly impacted one’s subsequent risk of VP shunt infection. These data suggest that if at all possible, the VP shunt should be performed prior to an intraabdominal procedure.

Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection: A Study about Age as a Risk Factor in Hydrocephalus Pediatrics

BACKGROUND: Shunt infection is one of the dreaded and serious complications following ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt) insertion, especially in a pediatric population. Numerous risk factors have been identified, particularly in developing countries, indicating that age may play an essential element in the pathogenesis of shunt infection, typically in patients &lt;1-year-old. However, a few research demonstrate the inverse result. AIM: The purpose of this was to determine the relationship between age and shunt infection so that it can be taken into consideration when performing VP shunt insertion. METHODS: From January 2017 to December 2019, 98 pediatric patients with hydrocephalus who underwent VP shunt insertion were retrospectively reviewed to determine the relationship between age and shunt infection. We evaluated the microbiology results and management of shunt infection in patients with shunt infection. RESULTS: Fifteen (15.15%) of 98 patients developed shunt infection. Patients aged &gt;3–6 months had a significantly increased risk of shunt infection (p = 0.04; RR = 4.15; CI 95% = 1.19–14.45). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently encountered pathogen in pediatric patients with shunt infection (53.3%), and the most common management for shunt infection was complete removal of the shunt and systemic antibiotics followed by re-insertion of the shunt after the cerebrospinal fluid was sterile (46.6%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that age, especially those aged &gt;3–6 months, has a significantly higher risk of shunt infection in pediatric patients.

Machine Learning-Based Clinical Adjusted Selection of Predicting Risk Factors for Shunt Infection in Children

Background: Shunt Infection is a common complication of shunt insertion in children which can lead to bad neuro-developmental conditions and impose a considerable economic burden for the health care system. So, identifying predictive factors of shunt infection could help us in the proper improvement of this deteriorating condition. Methods: In this study, related risk factors of 68 patients with history of shunt infection and 80 matched controls without any history of shunt infection, who were all operated in a single referral hospital were assessed. Three machine learning (ML)-based measures including sparsity, correlation, and redundancy along with specialist’s score were applied to select the most important predictive risk factors for shunt infection. ML was determined by summation of sparsity, correlation and redundancy measures, and the final total score was considered as normalization (ML-based score + specialist score). Results: According to the total score, prematurity, first ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) age, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), myelomeningocele (MMC) and low birth weight had higher weights as shunt infection risk factors. icterus, trauma, co-infection and tumor had the lowest weights and history of meningitis and number of shunt revisions were defined as intermediate risk factors. Conclusion: The "ML-based clinical adjusted" method may be used as a complementary tool to help neurosurgeons in better patient selection and more accurate follow-up of children with higher risk of shunt infection.

438 Is Cerebrospinal Fluid Sampling Necessary at The Time of First Ventriculo-Peritoneal Shunt Insertion in Paediatric Patients?

Abstract We aim to evaluate whether intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling during ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt insertion can predict future shunt infection or guide its management, as there is currently no evidence for this. 83 paediatric patients undergoing VP shunt insertion between February 2013 and July 2019 were retrospectively identified. Patient demographics, presence of pre-operative extra ventricular drain (EVD), pre-operative CSF results, and intra-operative CSF results were identified. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months for identification of shunt infection. 90 VP shunt insertions were performed in 83 patients. Age at time of shunt insertion ranged from 5 days to 15.8 years (mean 44.2 months). Tumours were the most common aetiology for hydrocephalus (n = 24). 67 cases (74.4%) had intra-operative CSF samples, of which 2 revealed the presence of bacteria. Only 1 patient with intraoperative CSF sampling positive for growth developed shunt infection during follow up. Two cases developed a shunt infection despite normal intra-operative CSF results. Three cases did not have intra-operative CSF sampling but developed a shunt infection during follow up. Our results show that intraoperative CSF sampling as a method to predict future risk of shunt infection and to help inform future antibiotic prescribing is unreliable.

Is cerebrospinal fluid sampling necessary at the time of first ventriculo-peritoneal shunt insertion in paediatric patients?

ObjectiveWe aim to evaluate whether intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling during ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt insertion can predict future VP shunt infection or guide its management. Methods83 paediatric patients undergoing VP shunt insertion between February 2013 and July 2019 were retrospectively identified. Patient demographics, presence of pre-operative extra ventricular drain (EVD), pre-operative CSF results, and intra-operative CSF results were identified from patient case notes and electronic clinical databases. All included patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months for identification of shunt infection. Results90 VP shunt insertions were performed in 83 patients. Age at time of shunt insertion ranged from 5 days to 15.8 years (mean 44.2 months). Tumours were the most common aetiology for hydrocephalus (n = 24). 67 cases (74.4%) had intra-operative CSF samples, of which 2 revealed the presence of bacteria. Only 1 patient with intra-operative CSF sampling positive for growth developed shunt infection during follow up. Two cases developed a shunt infection despite normal intra-operative CSF results. Three cases did not have intra-operative CSF sampling but developed a shunt infection during follow up. Intra-operative CSF culture achieved 33.3% sensitivity and 98.4% specificity for predicting future shunt infection (p = 0.154). The Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve of intra-operative white cell count (WCC) and shunt infection at 6 months follow up yielded an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 50.3%. ConclusionOur results show that intraoperative CSF sampling as a method to predict future risk of shunt infection and to help inform future antibiotic prescribing is unreliable. Given an AUC of 50.3%, it is no better than chance as a diagnostic tool. Further larger studies are needed to substantiate this.

Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines on the Treatment of Pediatric Hydrocephalus: Update of the 2014 Guidelines.

The Congress of Neurological Surgeons reviews its guidelines according to the Institute of Medicine's recommended best practice of reviewing guidelines every 5 yrs. The authors performed a planned 5-yr review of the medical literature used to develop the "Pediatric hydrocephalus: systematic literature review and evidence-based guidelines" and determined the need for an update to the original guideline based on new available evidence. To perform an update to include the current medical literature for the "Pediatric hydrocephalus: systematic literature review and evidence-based guidelines", originally published in 2014. The Guidelines Task Force used the search terms and strategies consistent with the original guidelines to search PubMed and Cochrane Central for relevant literature published between March 2012 and November 2019. The same inclusion/exclusion criteria were also used to screen abstracts and to perform the full-text review. Full text articles were then reviewed and when appropriate, included as evidence and recommendations were added or changed accordingly. A total of 41 studies yielded by the updated search met inclusion criteria and were included in this update. New literature resulting from the update yielded a new recommendation in Part 2, which states that neuro-endoscopic lavage is a feasible and safe option for the removal of intraventricular clots and may lower the rate of shunt placement (LevelIII). Additionally a recommendation in part 7 of the guideline now states that antibiotic-impregnated shunt tubing reduces the risk of shunt infection compared with conventional silicone hardware and should be used for children who require placement of a shunt (LevelI). <https://www.cns.org/guidelines/browse-guidelines-detail/pediatric-hydrocephalus-guideline>.

Efficacy of antibiotic-impregnated shunt versus conventional shunts to reduce cerebrospinal fluid infections in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hydrocephalus is among the most common pediatric conditions treated by neurosurgeons. An antibiotic-impregnated shunt (AIS) was designed to reduce the rate of shunt infections. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficiency of AIS in reducing the rate of shunt infection compared with standard shunts (SSs). A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane Library, TRIP Database, CINAHL and Google Scholar databases was performed. Eligible studies included observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCT) that compared the effects of AIS and SS for preventing shunt infections in pediatric patients. Twelve observational studies and one RCT conducted from January 2005 through October 2019 involving 7,952 pediatric patients were included in the analysis. The use of AIS significantly decreased the risk of CRI [risk ratio (RR) 0.42; 95% confidence interval: 0.33 to 0.53; P<0.00001] with no statistical heterogeneity across the included studies (I2=42%). This analysis demonstrates that the use of AIS significantly reduces the risk of shunt infection in pediatric patients.

Spring-Assisted Distraction Osteogenesis for the Treatment of Shunt-Induced Craniosynostosis.

Shunt-induced craniosynostosis is a rare complication of ventricular shunting for hydrocephalus in pediatric patients. Although the exact pathophysiology of this form of secondary craniosynostosis is not well understood, the current understanding is that persistent drainage of the ventricular shunt causes decreased dural tension, resulting in decreased expansile force on the cranium and premature sutural fusion. Due to the low incidence of this complication, there is no consensus on the ideal treatment for shunt-induced craniosynostosis. In recent years, distraction osteogenesis has been employed with greater frequency, as it is felt to counter the fundamental problem of decreased expansile force on the cranium. However, in a patient with a ventricular shunt, placement of external hardware in close proximity to the shunt could cause significant morbidity due to the increased risk of shunt infection. We present the management of a patient with shunt-induced craniosynostosis who continued to be shunt-dependent. We chose to use fully buried springs to create an expansile force on the cranium as an alternative to external distractors so as to mitigate the risk of infection. We demonstrate that spring-assisted distraction osteogenesis can be an effective treatment modality for patients with shunt-induced craniosynostosis. This method should be considered in patients with contraindications to external distraction devices, such as ongoing shunt dependency.

Route of antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of cerebrospinal fluid-shunt infection.

The main complication of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt surgery is shunt infection. Prevention of these shunt infections consists of the perioperative use of antibiotics that can be administered in five different ways: orally; intravenously; intrathecally; topically; and via the implantation of antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheters. To determine the effect of different routes of antibiotic prophylaxis (i.e. oral, intravenous, intrathecal, topical and via antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheters) on CSF-shunt infections in persons treated for hydrocephalus using internalised CSF shunts. We conducted a systematic electronic search without restrictions on language, date or publication type. We performed the search on the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and Embase, with the help of the Information Specialist of the Cochrane Multiple Sclerosis and Rare Diseases of the CNS Group. The search was performed in January 2018. All randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials that studied the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis, in any dose or administration route, for the prevention of CSF-shunt infection in patients that were treated with an internal cerebrospinal fluid shunt. Patients with external shunts were not eligible. Two review authors independently extracted data from included studies. We resolved disagreements by discussion or by referral to an independent researcher within our department when necessary. Analyses were also performed by at least two authors. We included a total of 11 small randomised controlled trials, containing 1109 participants, in this systematic review. Three of these studies included solely children, and the remaining eight included participants of all ages. Most studies were limited to the evaluation of ventriculoperitoneal shunts. However, five studies included participants with ventriculoatrial shunts, of which one study contained four participants with a subduroperitoneal shunt. We judged four out of 11 (36%) trials at unclear risk of bias, while the remaining seven trials (64%) scored high risk of bias in one or more of the components assessed.We analysed all included studies in order to estimate the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on the proportion of shunt infections regardless of administration route. Although the quality of evidence in these studies was low, there may be a positive effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on the number of participants who had shunt infections (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.84), meaning a 55% reduction in the number of participants who had shunt infection compared with standard care or placebo.Within the different administration routes, only within intravenous administration of antibiotic prophylaxis there may be evidence of an effect on the risk of shunt infections (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.90). However, this was the only route that contained more than two studies (8 studies; 797 participants). Evidence was uncertain for both, intrathecal administration of antibiotics (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.93, 2 studies; 797 participants; low quality evidence) and antibiotic impregnated catheters (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.24, 1 study; 110 participants; very low quality evidence) AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic prophylaxis may have a positive effect on lowering the number of participants who had shunt infections. However, the quality of included studies was low and the effect is not consistent within the different routes of administration that have been analysed. It is therefore uncertain whether prevention of shunt infection varies by different antibiotic agents, different administration routes, timing and doses; or by characteristics of patients, e.g. children and adults. The results of the review should be seen as hypothesis-generating rather than definitive, and the results should be confirmed in adequately powered trials or large multicentre studies in order to obtain high-quality evidence in the field of ventricular shunt infection prevention.

Evidence-Based Perioperative Protocol for Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection Reduction at a Single Institution

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections are common and result in significant morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditure. The objective of this study was to create an evidence-based perioperative shunt infection prevention protocol and analyze its efficacy by comparing the incidence of shunt infection before and after implementation at one institution. A perioperative ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery protocol was developed based on a systematic literature review with the goal of reducing infection rates. Patients undergoing shunt surgery at Upstate Medical University Hospital, from before and after implantation of the perioperative shunt surgery protocol, were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Retrospective data collection included shunt infection incidence as a primary outcome and clinical features of patients from both cohorts. The pre-protocol and post-protocol cohorts included 226 and 285 patients, respectively. Twenty (8.8%) pre-protocol shunt infections and 16 (5.6%) post-protocol shunt infections were identified (P= 0.156). The relative risk of shunt infection between cohorts was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.92-1.02). Although shunt infection rates pre-protocol and post-protocol were not significantly different, a trend toward fewer shunt infections was observed with protocol implementation. Suboptimal compliance at our institution may have limited accurate assessment of protocol efficacy. Similar future studies may benefit from objectively assessing protocol compliance.

Calgary Shunt Protocol, an adaptation of the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network shunt protocol, reduces shunt infections in children.

The shunt protocol developed by the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN) was shown to significantly reduce shunt infections in children. However, its effectiveness had not been validated in a non-HCRN, small- to medium-volume pediatric neurosurgery center. The present study evaluated whether the 9-step Calgary Shunt Protocol, closely adapted from the HCRN shunt protocol, reduced shunt infections in children. The Calgary Shunt Protocol was prospectively applied at Alberta Children's Hospital from May 23, 2013, to all children undergoing any shunt procedure. The control cohort consisted of children undergoing shunt surgery between January 1, 2009, and the implementation of the Calgary Shunt Protocol. The primary outcome was the strict HCRN definition of shunt infection. Univariate analyses of the protocol, individual elements within, and known confounders were performed using Student t-test for measured variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regression was performed using stepwise analysis. Two-hundred sixty-eight shunt procedures were performed. The median age of patients was 14 months (IQR 3-61), and 148 (55.2%) were male. There was a significant absolute risk reduction of 10.0% (95% CI 3.9%-15.9%) in shunt infections (12.7% vs 2.7%, p = 0.004) after implementation of the Calgary Shunt Protocol. In univariate analyses, chlorhexidine was associated with fewer shunt infections than iodine-based skin preparation solution (4.1% vs 12.3%, p = 0.02). Waiting ≥ 20 minutes between receiving preoperative antibiotics and skin incision was also associated with a reduction in shunt infection (4.5% vs 14.2%, p = 0.007). In the multivariable analysis, only the overall protocol independently reduced shunt infections (OR 0.19 [95% CI 0.06-0.67], p = 0.009), while age, etiology, procedure type, ventricular catheter type, skin preparation solution, and time from preoperative antibiotics to skin incision were not significant. This study externally validates the published HCRN protocol for reducing shunt infection in an independent, non-HCRN, and small- to medium-volume pediatric neurosurgery setting. Implementation of the Calgary Shunt Protocol independently reduced shunt infection risk. Chlorhexidine skin preparation and waiting ≥ 20 minutes between administration of preoperative antibiotic and skin incision may have contributed to the protocol's quality improvement success.

The Association between the Timing of Shunt Placement and Shunt Infection in Hydrocephalus Associated with Myelomeningocele.

To determine whether the timing of shunt placement affects shunt infection rate in hydrocephalus associated with myelomeningocele (MMC). The cases of 67 consecutive patients who underwent MMC repair and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement between 2010 and 2017 were analyzed, retrospectively. Shunt infection rates were compared for three different approaches: simultaneous shunting (MMC repair and shunting in the same session; n=22), early shunting (shunting in the first week after MMC repair; n=21), and delayed shunting (shunting in the second week after MMC repair; n=24). Three patients in the simultaneous shunting group (13.6%) and two patients in the early shunting group (9.5%) developed shunt infection, whereas no such infections occurred in the delayed shunting group (p > 0.05). While the shunt infection rates for the simultaneous, early and delayed shunting groups were not significant, it is of interest that no shunt infections occurred in the delayed shunting group. Investigation with a larger number of patients is warranted to assess whether delayed shunting might reduce the risk of shunt infection.