Shunts In Children Research Articles

Contemporary survival outcomes of congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunt in children with borderline pulmonary vascular resistant index compared to Eisenmenger syndrome

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD) is a complication that occurs after unrepaired significant systemic-to-pulmonary shunt. Treatment options for PAH-CHD-predominantly left-to-right (L-R) shunt in children with borderline-high pulmonary vascular resistant index (PVRi) have been debated. We aimed to assess the treatment and survival of children with PAH-CHD-predominantly L-R shunt with borderline to high PVRi, using Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) for comparison. In 1995–2021, a total of 142 patients with ES and 192 children with PAH-CHD-predominantly L-R shunt were eligible for our analysis. The PVRi in ES patients was 26.7 ± 16.8 WU m2. Most patients (91%) received PAH-targeted therapy. Of the 192 children with PAH-CHD-predominantly L-R shunt, the baseline PVRi was 9.2 ± 5.8 WU m2. A total of 64 patients (33.3%) had borderline PVRi (4–8 WU m2) and 98 patients (51%) had high PVRi (> 8 WU m2). Most patients (88.5%) responded to acute pulmonary vasodilatory testing and underwent repair, with 158 undergoing defect closure and 12 having fenestrated closure. A treat-and-repair strategy was used in 33 children (17.1%). The 10- and 15-year survival rates for patients with ES were 79.3% and 72.4%, respectively, which was significantly inferior to children with borderline PVRi [97.3% and 87.8% (p = 0.02)]; and high PVRi [91.6% and 89.5% (p = 0.06)], respectively. The survival rate of children receiving treat-and-repair was slightly higher than that of ES (p = 0.16). The independent mortality risk in children with PAH-CHD-predominantly L-R shunt was persistent PAH following the defect correction (adjusted hazard ratio 5.8, 95% CI 1.7–19.9, p = 0.005).Trial registration: TCTR20200420004.

Assessment of 4D flow MRI for quantification of left-to-right shunt in pediatric patients with ventricular septal defect: comparison with right heart catheterization.

The percentage of shunt fraction significantly impacts the management of patients with congenital shunts, influencing strategic choices such as surgical or interventional procedures. This study compared the estimated shunt fraction (the ratio of pulmonary-to-systemic flow, Qp/Qs) for quantifying the left-to-right shunt in children with ventricular septal defect (VSD) using heart catheterization, four-dimensional (4D) flow, and two-dimensional (2D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The goal was to establish a non-invasive and reliable measurement ratio between pulmonary and systemic blood flow in these patients. Between July 2022 and June 2023, patients scheduled to undergo invasive right heart catheterization were included in this study. MRI was performed one hour before the catheterization procedure. The correlation of shunt fraction was assessed between all methods after calculating the Qp/Qs ratio from 2D and 4D flow MRI and catheterization. A total of 24 patients (aged 3-15 years, eight females) were ultimately included in the study. The Qp/Qs ratios obtained from 4D flow had a robust correlation (correlation coefficient r = 0.962) compared to those obtained during catheterization. Cardiac catheterization recorded the mean shunt fraction at 1.499 ± 0.396, while 4D flow measured it at 1.403 ± 0.344, with no significant difference between the two techniques. Moreover, there was a reasonable correlation (r = 0.894) between 2D flow measurements of Qp/Qs and the results obtained from catheterization, with a mean shunt fraction of 1.326 ± 0.283. 4D flow MRI has the potential to be a non-invasive method for accurately measuring the left-to-right shunt in children with VSD.

Comparing ventriculoatrial and ventriculopleural shunts in pediatric hydrocephalus: a Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network study.

When the peritoneal cavity cannot serve as the distal shunt terminus, nonperitoneal shunts, typically terminating in the atrium or pleural space, are used. The comparative effectiveness of these two terminus options has not been evaluated. The authors directly compared shunt survival and complication rates for ventriculoatrial (VA) and ventriculopleural (VPl) shunts in a pediatric cohort. The Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network Core Data Project was used to identify children ≤ 18 years of age who underwent either VA or VPl shunt insertion. The primary outcome was time to shunt failure. Secondary outcomes included distal site complications and frequency of shunt failure at 6, 12, and 24 months. The search criteria yielded 416 children from 14 centers with either a VA (n = 318) or VPl (n = 98) shunt, including those converted from ventriculoperitoneal shunts. Children with VA shunts had a lower median age at insertion (6.1 years vs 12.4 years, p < 0.001). Among those children with VA shunts, a hydrocephalus etiology of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) secondary to prematurity comprised a higher proportion (47.0% vs 31.2%) and myelomeningocele comprised a lower proportion (17.8% vs 27.3%) (p = 0.024) compared with those with VPl shunts. At 24 months, there was a higher cumulative number of revisions for VA shunts (48.6% vs 38.9%, p = 0.038). When stratified by patient age at shunt insertion, VA shunts in children < 6 years had the lowest shunt survival rate (p < 0.001, log-rank test). After controlling for age and etiology, multivariable analysis did not find that shunt type (VA vs VPl) was predictive of time to shunt failure. No differences were found in the cumulative frequency of complications (VA 6.0% vs VPl 9.2%, p = 0.257), but there was a higher rate of pneumothorax in the VPl cohort (3.1% vs 0%, p = 0.013). Shunt survival was similar between VA and VPl shunts, although VA shunts are used more often, particularly in younger patients. Children < 6 years with VA shunts appeared to have the shortest shunt survival, which may be a result of the VA group having more cases of IVH secondary to prematurity; however, when age and etiology were included in a multivariable model, shunt location (atrium vs pleural space) was not associated with time to failure. The baseline differences between children treated with a VA versus a VPl shunt likely explain current practice patterns.

Assessment of childhood intracranial pressure: a comparative study of transcranial Doppler ultrasound indices and findings at ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

This study compares transcranial Doppler (TCD) Pulsatility Index (PI) and Resistivity Index (RI) with intra-operative CSF opening pressure measured by manometric technique during ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunt in children with hydrocephalus. It was a prospective, hospital-based study performed among patients diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Patients had TCD ultrasonography before V-P shunt. The TCD sonography was repeated within 1week post-op, and at 1month post-op. The PI and RI were retrieved after insonating the middle cerebral artery. Ventricular CSF opening pressure was measured. Associations between TCD indices and CSF pressure were determined using the t-test and the Wilcoxon rank /Mann-Whitney tests where the normality test failed. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant for associations. Fifty-two patients were enrolled with a mean age of 9.9 ± 11.5months. Of these, 41 (78.8%) were aged ≤ 12months. The mean CSF opening pressure was 21.4 ± 9.0. When raised, ICP was defined as opening pressure > 15cm of H2O, high PI (≥ 1.19), and high RI (> 0.8) diagnosed it with a sensitivity of 55% and 50%, respectively. The mean pre-operative PI (1.17 ± 0.56) reduced to 0.96 (Z = - 2.032, p = 0.042), while that of RI (0.66 ± 0.17) also decreased to 0.58 (t = 2.906, p = 0.044) after V-P shunt surgery. A strong positive correlation exists between a reduction in PI and RI after V-P shunt (r = 0.743, p = 0.014). Both PI and RI significantly decrease following V-P shunt, but a single reading has a poor sensitivity in predicting ICP.

Outcome of Midline Posterior Cranial Fossa Tumor Surgery with Preoperative Ventriculo - Peritoneal (V-P) Shunt in Children

Introduction: Pediatric patients with midline posterior cranial fossa tumors present with features of raised intracranial pressure due to development of hydrocephalus. Due to the big size tumour and lack of facility we did Ventriculoperitoneal shunt before definitive surgery for all patients. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional experimental study was carried out on 55 consecutive patients with midline posterior cranial fossa brain tumors with obstructive hydrocephalus with age ranged from 3 to 15 years got admitted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University from March 2021 to April 2023. We did preoperative ventriculoperitoneal shunt before definitive surgery but didn’t do the Endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Results: In this study, the age of the patients was 3-15 years, the mean age was 9.47+_3.18 and the peak incidence was 11-15 years which was 20(36.36%). Majority of the patients was male (56%), male female ratio was 1.27:1. Most of the children were presented with headache 51(92.73%) followed by papilloedema 47(85.45%), vomiting 46(83.64%), gait disturbance 37(67.27%), diminution of vision 31(56.36%), swallowing difficulty 12(21.82%), cranial nerve palsy 12(21.82%). 19 patients developed postoperative complications among them 15(27.27%) was meningitis followed by wound infection 7(12.73%), pseudomeningocele 8(14.55%), csf leakage 4(7.27%), hydrocephalous 3(5.45%). Logistic regression analysis was non-significant statistically in my study. Discussion and Conclusion: In conclusion we found satisfactory outcome of doing pr-operative VP Shunt in posterior fossa midline tumor causing obstructive Hydrocephalus in children, however major postoperative complications were development of hydrocephalus, CSF leak, pseudo meningocele, wound infection and meningitis. Future prospective studies with sufficient sample size are warranted to reach a definitive conclusion.

(870) - Intermediate-Term Outcomes of Reversed Potts Shunt in Children with Suprasystemic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Short Series of Three Chinese Patients

(870) - Intermediate-Term Outcomes of Reversed Potts Shunt in Children with Suprasystemic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Short Series of Three Chinese Patients

Digital subtraction angiography of intrahepatic portal vein as the key visualization for mesoportal shunting in children with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction

Аn early consideration in pediatric patients with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) is to be given for mesoportal shunt. A careful investigation is required to prove intrahepatic portal system patency. Conventional noninvasive imaging is not adequately reliable in assessing patency of the intrahepatic portal venous system. Retrograde portography in children brings additional invasive procedure. Antegrade, direct intraoperative digital subtraction angiography for mesoportal shunt feasibility assessment is poorly presented in literature. Aim - to improve the rate of success of mesoportal shunting in children with EHPVO by analyzing our own experience in intraoperative digital subtraction angiography of the intrahepatic branches of the portal vein for the final assessment of the mesoportal shunting feasibility. Materials and methods. 7 pediatric patients with EHPVO were selected for the study. Angiographies and surgeries in selected patients were performed within single center in a period from May 2022 to July 2023. Mean follow up of successful mesoportal shunting was 12.38±1.46 months. Results. All patients were males. Men age at surgery was 8.71±1.72 years. 5 (71.4%) patients manifested bleeding episodes as the first sign of portal hypertension. In all patients ultrasound revealed splenomegaly and suspected portal hypertension for reduced volumetric portal flow. All 7 patients had high grade. Liver function was normal in all patients, and in none thrombophilia was confirmed. CT scans suspected patent left intrahepatic branch (Rex-zone). Digital subtraction angiography approved mesoportal shunt feasibility in 4 (57.1%) patients. The follow up period was 13.5±2.9 months. Conclusions. Digital subtraction angiography of intrahepatic portal vein is effective visualization method to achieve with radiologic evidence of intrahepatic portal branches patency and make the decision on mesoportal shunting when favorable anatomy proved. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

The impact of ventricular dominance on the early outcome of bidirectional Glenn shunt in children

The impact of ventricular dominance on the early outcome of bidirectional Glenn shunt in children

Outcomes of Portosystemic Shunts in Children with and without Liver Transplantation.

Limited data exist regarding outcome and morbidity associated with portosystemic shunts in the pediatric transplant population. Our study assesses the outcomes of pediatric patients who underwent a portosystemic shunt procedure, both with and without liver transplantation (LT). This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients aged 0-19 years who underwent shunt placement between 2003 and 2017 at a tertiary care center. The analysis included cases of shunt placement with or without LT. A total of 13 pediatric patients were included in the study with median age of 8.8 years. Among the cases, 11 out of 13 (84.6%) underwent splenorenal shunt, 1 (7.7%) underwent a mesocaval shunt, and another 1 (7.7%) underwent a Modified Rex (mesoportal) shunt. Additionally, 5 out of 13 (38.5%) patients had LT, with 4 out of 5 (80.0%) receiving the transplant before shunt placement, and 1 out of 5 (20.0%) receiving it after shunt placement. Gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from portal hypertension was the indication in all cases. A total of 10 complications were reported in 5 patients; the most common complication was anemia in 3 (23.1%) patients. At the most recent follow-up visit, the shunts were functional without encephalopathy, and no deaths were reported. Shunt placement plays a crucial role in the management of patients with portal hypertension. Our study demonstrates favorable long-term outcomes in pediatric patients who underwent shunt placement. Long term shunt outcomes were similar and unremarkable in patients with LT and without LT.

Outcome of Midline Posterior Cranial Fossa Tumor Surgery with Preoperative Ventriculo - Peritoneal (V-P) Shunt in Children

Outcome of Midline Posterior Cranial Fossa Tumor Surgery with Preoperative Ventriculo - Peritoneal (V-P) Shunt in Children

1319. Microbiology and Epidemiology of Pediatric Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infections

Abstract Background Infections complicate approximately 10% of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts in children, with considerable associated morbidity and mortality. Recent guidelines for empiric treatment of VP shunt infections recommend use of vancomycin combined with an anti-pseudomonal beta-lactam, but are based on low-quality evidence. We aimed to further characterize and update the microbiology of pediatric VP shunt infections using the U.S. Military Health System database. Methods Department of Defense beneficiaries less than 22 years-of-age admitted for VP shunt infection between Oct 1, 2008 and Sep 30, 2019 were included. VP shunt infection was defined using a combination of ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes, CPT codes for removal or replacement of a shunt (Table 1), and positive cultures from a normally sterile site (cerebrospinal fluid, blood, catheter tip, and peritoneum). Demographic data on age, sex, and year of admission were collected for each patient, as was microbiologic data including organism and specimen source. Results There were 32 qualifying admissions among 30 patients for VP shunt infection over the 10-year study period, with no discernable year-to-year trend identified. Half of all VP shunt infections occurred in patients less than 12 months of age (Table 2). Sixty-one unique positive cultures were identified among the 30 patients, 38 (62%) from CSF samples, and the remaining 23 (38%) from blood, peritoneum, and catheter tips (Figure 1). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (28%), Staphylococcus aureus (15%), and Enterococcus spp. (10%) were the leading causative pathogens (Figure 2). Enteric gram-negative rods accounted for 21% of positive cultures. Pseudomonas spp. were rarely isolated (3%), however, strict anaerobic pathogens made up 8% of positive cultures. Conclusion Empiric antibiotic treatment of VP shunt infections in children should cover gram-positive cocci and enteric gram-negative rods but need not cover Pseudomonas spp. Existing guidelines do not recommend anaerobic coverage, however, these data indicate empiric anaerobic coverage is prudent, especially when an intra-abdominal VP shunt infection is suspected. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Frequency of Complications after Paediatric Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Surgery for Management of Hydrocephalus: An Observational Cohort Study

Objectives: To determine the frequency of complications after paediatric ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery for management of hydrocephalus.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: An Observational Cohort Study was conducted from 19th March, 2020 to 18th September, 2021 at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan. Total 150 patients of both genders, aged between 1-18 years diagnosed with hydrocephalus were selected. Shunted patients operated for other pathologies of brain and spine and those with more than 3 shunt revisions were excluded. Based on the clinical findings and investigations, a final diagnosis was made and the treatment in individual cases was planned accordingly. Post-operatively all the patients were followed up till 6 months and any complication which occurred was documented.&#x0D; Results: Age range in this study was from 1 to 18 years with mean age of 7.50 ± 4.22 years. Majority of the patients 74.0% were between 1 to 10 years of age. Out of these 150 patients, 85 (56.67%) were males and 65 (43.33%) were females with male to female ratio of 1.3:1. Shunt blockade was seen in 36 (24.0%), Shunt malfunction in 21 (14.0%), Shunt infection in 48 (32.0%) and Shunt migration in 23 (15.33%) patients.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study concluded that ventriculoperitoneal shunt in children with hydrocephalus is not free of complications and should be monitored and managed properly to reduce the complications.

Outcomes of laparoscopic and open ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement

ObjectiveVentriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement requires a concurrent abdominal procedure. For peritoneal access laparoscopic or open approach may be utilized. Our aim was to compare patient/procedure characteristics and outcomes by peritoneal approach for VP shunts in children. MethodsNSQIP-Pediatric procedure targeted cerebral spinal fluid shunt Participant Use Data Files from 2016 to 2020 were queried. Patients were grouped into laparoscopic vs open abdominal approach. Patient demographics, procedure characteristics and 30-day outcomes were compared. Results7742 NSQIP-Pediatric patients underwent VP shunt placement. Patients undergoing laparoscopic approach were older and required less preoperative support. Mean operative time was longer with laparoscopy (mean(SD): 74.2(48.1) vs. 64.6(39) minutes, p ​< ​0.0001) but had shorter hospital LOS. There was no difference in SSI, readmissions, or reoperation rates. ConclusionPatients undergoing laparoscopy for distal VP shunts are older with less support needs preoperatively. While laparoscopic approach had a shorter hospital LOS, there was no demonstratable difference in SSI, readmissions or reoperations between approaches. Further studies are needed to assess long-term outcomes.

Ventriculopleural Shunt Following Failed Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in Children: Two Case Reports

Abstract There have been no reports of ventriculopleural (VPL) shunt in children younger than four years of age in the last 24 years. The pleural space is an alternative to the peritoneum for shunting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in cases where the latter cannot be used due to infection or other complications. Though there have been case series published reporting the use of VPL shunts, the anesthetic management has not been described in detail. We describe the management of two pediatric patients aged three and six years old who successfully underwent VPL shunt after failure of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt.

Lower levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at the time of initial CSF shunt placement in children are associated with subsequent shunt revision surgeries

ObjectiveWe compare cytokine profiles at the time of initial CSF shunt placement between children who required no subsequent shunt revision surgeries and children requiring repeated CSF shunt revision surgeries for CSF shunt failure. We also describe the cytokine profiles across surgical episodes for children who undergo multiple subsequent revision surgeries. MethodsThis pilot study was nested within an ongoing prospective multicenter study collecting CSF samples and clinical data at the time of CSF shunt surgeries since August 2014. We selected cases where CSF was available for children who underwent an initial CSF shunt placement and had no subsequent shunt revision surgeries during >=24 months of follow-up (n = 7); as well as children who underwent an initial CSF shunt placement and then required repeated CSF shunt revision surgeries (n = 3). Levels of 92 human cytokines were measured using the Olink immunoassay and 41 human cytokines were measured using Luminex based bead array on CSF obtained at the time of each child’s initial CSF shunt placement and were displayed in heat maps. ResultsQualitatively similar profiles for the majority of cytokines were observed among the patients in each group in both Olink and Luminex assays. Lower levels of MCP-3, CASP-8, CD5, CXCL9, CXCL11, eotaxin, IFN-γ, IL-13, IP-10, and OSM at the time of initial surgery were noted in the children who went on to require multiple surgeries. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were selected a priori and shown across subsequent revision surgeries for the 3 patients. Cytokine patterns differed between patients, but within a given patient pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines acted in a parallel fashion, with the exception of IL-4. ConclusionsHeat maps of cytokine levels at the time of initial CSF shunt placement for each child undergoing only a single initial CSF shunt placement and for each child undergoing repeat CSF shunt revision surgeries demonstrated qualitatively similar profiles for the majority of cytokines. Lower levels of MCP-3, CASP-8, CD5, CXCL9, CXCL11, eotaxin, IFN-γ, IL-13, IP-10, and OSM at the time of initial surgery were noted in the children who went on to require multiple surgeries. Better stratification by patient age, etiology, and mechanism of failure is needed to develop a deeper understanding of the mechanism of inflammation in the development of hydrocephalus and response to shunting in children.

EGFR and MMP-9 are associated with neointimal hyperplasia in systemic-to-pulmonary shunts in children with complex cyanotic heart disease

Systemic-to-pulmonary shunt malfunction contributes to morbidity in children with complex congenital heart disease after palliative procedure. Neointimal hyperplasia might play a role in the pathogenesis increasing risk for shunt obstruction. The aim was to evaluate the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and matrix-metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in the formation of neointimal within shunts. Immunohistochemistry was performed with anti-EGFR and anti-MMP-9 on shunts removed at follow-up palliative or corrective procedure. Whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphisms genotyping was performed on DNA extracted from patients´ blood samples and allele frequencies were compared between the group of patients with shunts displaying severe stenosis (≥ 40% of lumen) and the remaining group. Immunohistochemistry detected EGFR and MMP-9 in 24 of 31 shunts, located mainly in the luminal area. Cross-sectional area of EGFR and MMP-9 measured in median 0.19 mm2 (IQR 0.1–0.3 mm2) and 0.04 mm2 (IQR 0.03–0.09 mm2), respectively, and correlated positively with the area of neointimal measured on histology (r = 0.729, p < 0.001 and r = 0.0479, p = 0.018, respectively). There was a trend of inverse correlation between the dose of acetylsalicylic acid and the degree of EGFR, but not MMP-9, expression within neointima. Certain alleles in epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) were associated with increased stenosis and neointimal hyperplasia within shunts. EGFR and MMP-9 contribute to neointimal proliferation in SP shunts of children with complex cyanotic heart disease. SP shunts from patients carrying certain risk alleles in the genes encoding for EGF and TIMP-1 displayed increased neointima.

Congenital portosystemic shunts: surgical treatment experience

Congenital porto-caval shunts are rare and may have a different morphological structure (intra- and extrahepatic shunts, with or without portal blood flow). The main method of treating patients with this pathology is endovascular shunt occlusion. However, in some cases, this method is ineffective.&#x0D; The article contains a description of six clinical examples of surgical treatment of congenital porto-systemic shunts in children. In the diagnosis of congenital portosystemic shunts, the leading role belongs to Doppler ultrasound, multislice computed tomography, and angiography. The indication for surgical treatment was the anatomical features of the shunt, which makes endovascular occlusion technically impossible. In one observation a wide Arantian duct was diagnosed, its open ligation was performed. In another case, the portal vein emptied directly into an aneurysmal dilatation, performed reconstructive plastic surgery on the vessels of the portal vein. In the next observation, a pronounced retrograde blood flow was determined along the dilated inferior mesenteric vein, blood was discharged through the sacral plexus into the internal iliac vein. The left internal iliac vein was isolated and ligated, the dysplastic inferior mesenteric vein was ligated and partially removed. In 2 patients, the portal vein flowed directly into the inferior vena cava in the area of aneurysmal expansion; an operation was performed open ligation of the shunt. In one observation, a deep hypoplasia of the intrahepatic branches of the portal vein was diagnosed, and therefore the restoration of portal blood flow after the closure of the shunt is impossible. The child was sent to decide on a liver transplant.&#x0D; Each case of congenital porto-caval shunts is unique. The surgeon determines the tactics directly during the operation, depending on the morphological structure of the organs, since the preoperative examination does not always give an unambiguous idea.

REX SHUNT IN CHILDREN: COULD DYSFUNCTION BE PROGNOSED? A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS.

The aim: To analyze retrospectively our experience of Rex shunt in children with symptomatic portal hypertension, its effect on hypersplenism regression and varices eradication, assess shunt survival and investigate risk factors, that could lead to shunt dysfunction and thrombosis. Materials and methods: 24 children (16 males, 8 females) ,with portal hypertension included into the study. All surgeries were performed within single center in a period from January 2010 to March 2022. Follow up period was 6.75±1.19 years. Results: Age at diagnosis was 5.39±0.64 years. 5 (20.8%) had umbilical catheter in anamnesis. 16 (66.7%) manifested bleeding episodes as the first sign of portal hypertension. 9 (37.5%) of children manifested severe hypersplenism. Age at Rex shunting was 7.5±0.7 years. In 7 (31.8%) cases Rex shunt thrombosis occurred. 1 successful thrombectomy and 6 splenorenal shunting were performed. Kaplan-Meyer analysis showed Rex shunt survival 0.670 (95%CI 0.420-0.831). Logistic regression model indicated thrombocytes count (p=0.0423) and cytopenia (p=0.0272) as factors that could influence shunt thrombosis. Follow-up group included 18 patients. Spleen volume regression became significant by 1 p/o year p<0,05, thrombocytes significant increasement reached in 1 p/o months (p<0.01), varices involution was achieved by 1 p/o year (p<0,001). Conclusions: Rex shunt effectiveness in study group was 70.9%., shunt survival assessed 0.670 (95%CI 0.420-0.831). Rex shunt was effective in bleeding prophylaxis in all patients of follow up group. Preoperative thrombocytes count (p=0.0423) and cytopenia (p=0.0272) were detected as factors that could influence shunt thrombosis, that is to be considered in RS preoperative period and require following studies.

Abdominal pseudocysts – A cause of peripheral dysfunction in ventriculoperitoneal shunts in children

Abdominal pseudocysts – A cause of peripheral dysfunction in ventriculoperitoneal shunts in children

Study of Relationship between Location of Ventricular Catheter Tip and Function of the Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunt in Hydrocephalus in Children

Objective: To determine the relationship between location of the ventricular catheter tip and functional status of the ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt in children. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in Faculty of Paediatric Surgery under the Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery in Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute (BSH&amp;I) from January 2017 to December 2021. The study included 140 patients who underwent ventriculo-peritoneal shunt using free hand technique. Data obtained for each patient included age, sex, diagnosis including site and side of ventricular catheter placement. Postoperative CT scan of brain were done in all cases and followed up over 2½ to 4½ years. Sixty-three patients were available for follow up. The relationship of location of ventricular catheter tip and function of the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was analyzed in all 63 patients. Results: Number of the patients included in the study was 140. Accuracy of ventricular catheter tip placement were 55(39.28%) using freehand technique. VP shunts function well in 43(68.25%) patients. Among the 43 patients with well-functioning shunts, 19 were in accurate group, 7 were in suboptimal group and 17 were in inaccurate group. Twenty-six (41.27%) patients had good outcome with normal development. Conclusion: Mechanical malfunction and infection are the most significant problems associated with VP shunts for the treatment of hydrocephalus. A significant proportion of shunt failure is due to inaccurate placement of the ventricular catheter tip. Accurate placement of the catheter tip is highly important to reduce the incidence of shunt malfunction.