Laparoscopic surgery in children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts

Background/Purpose: Children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts may require l aparoscopic surgery The authors aimed to determine if this group of childre n are at greater risk for complications or technical problems. Methods: Children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts who underwent laparoscop ic surgery between 1995 and 1998 were reviewed. In addition, the subset of children undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication were compared with the grou p of children without shunts who had the same operation during the same per iod. Results: Ten children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts underwent laparoscop ic surgery. Three had complications, none of which were caused by the shunt . None had any evidence of shunt dysfunction related to the laparoscopic pr ocedure. The 6 children with shunts who underwent laparoscopic fundoplicati on were compared with 17 similar children without shunts who underwent the same operation during the same period. There were no differences between th e groups with respect to operating time, conversion to an open approach, or complications. Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery can be performed safely and effectively in children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saun ders Company.