In two patients the dislocated abdominal catheter of a ventriculoperit
oneal (VP) shunt was successfully removed from the abdominal cavity by
laparoscopy. Avoiding laparotomy, only two small abdominal incisions
were necessary to insert the laparoscope and the grasping forceps. Pos
toperative course was uncomplicated except for protrusion of a part of
the greater omentum through the umbilical incision in one patient. Bo
th patients were mobilized on the operative day. Surgery required only
10 min, provided an excellent view of the entire abdomen, and led to
prompt identification and removal of the lost catheter.