Peritoneal shunt tube placement performed using an endoscopic threaded imaging port - Technical note

The authors used an endoscopic threaded imaging port that originally was de veloped for laparoscopy to access the peritoneal cavity, and applied this d evice to the placement of a peritoneal shunt tube in patients suffering fro m hydrocephalus. Using this system, the peritoneum can be opened quickly un der direct vision by using an endoscope through a small skin incision. The peritoneal cavity is secured by replacing the cannula with a polyvinyl chlo ride (PVC) tube. At the end of surgery, the terminal end of the shunt tube is inserted through the PVC tube, which serves as a guiding catheter. Only one or two skin stitches are needed for closure. This method has proved to be safe, quick, and less invasive than conventional minilaparotomy.