Case report - anal protrusion of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt catheter: report of two infants

In general, treatment of hydrocephalus requires the application of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Despite the peritoneal cavity being convenient for absorption of cerebrospinal fluid, multiple complications related to the shunt tends to develop within this area. The most frequent complications are abdominal. A rare complication can occurs with perforation of the organs located in peritoneal cavity by the catheter when infection occurs. Here we report two cases (because of unusual presentation) of shunt complication, they were operated for hydrocephalus. Acute traumatic anal protrusion of the peritoneal catheter occurred in the first case while a spontaneous anal protrusion during follow-up period, in the second case. The predisposing factors were thought to be previous abdominal infection and the use of trocar during operation in the first case and chronic irritative effect of the ventriculo-peritoneal catheter in the second case. (J Pediatr Neurol 2004; 2(4): 241-244)