LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY IN PATIENTS WITH A VENTRICULOPERITONEAL SHUNT - A CASE-REPORT

BACKGROUND: Ventrictuloperitoneal shunts have afforded many patients t he opportunity to expect a normal lifespan. Since laparotomy is more l ikely to be associated with adhesion formation, potentially reducing t he functional capacity of ventriculoperitoneal shunts, laparoscopy may be it preferable surgical alternative. CASE: A 64-year-old woman pres ented with a pelvic mass requiring surgical evaluation to ville out ov arian cancer. She had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Diagnostic laparos copy was performed without complication. However, due to the significa nt adhesions from previous surgery, the mass could not be safely evalu ated, and the procedure was completed by laparotomy. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of laparoscopy for a pelvic mass in an adult with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Laparoscopy is preferable to laparotomy for the replacement or repair of ventriculoperitoneal shunts. Also, la paroscopy should be considered for other problems requiring surgical i ntervention.