Treatment of cerebrospinal fluid shunting complications in a Nigerian neurosurgery programme

Background/Aims: For a century since the first cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt surgery, ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion for the treatment of hydrocephalus has routinely been performed. A lot of common and rare complications following this procedure have been reported in 24-47% of the cases. The aim of this paper was to present our experience with the treatment of hydrocephalus in our centre and highlight our management of two unusual complications with the available resources. Methods: Retrospective clinical review. Results: A total of 86 patients with hydrocephalus were seen in our unit. There were 52 males and 34 females (male: female ratio 3: 2). The age of the patients ranged from 1 day to 68 years. The majority of the patients (92%) were below 5 years of age. Sixty-five patients had shunting procedures [VP shunt: 62 (95.4%); endoscopic third ventriculostomy: 3 (4.6%)]. Of the 62 patients with VP shunts, 16 (25.8%) had complications while 2 of the 3 patients with endoscopic third ventriculostomies had complications. The complications following the VP shunts were CSF shunt sepsis (n = 12;19.4%), abdominal complications (n = 3;4.8%), subdural haematoma (n = 2;3.2%) and scalp necrosis in 1 patient. Conclusion: VP shunt procedures have come to stay and will remain with us despite recent advances such as endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Care should be taken to prevent all complications whether common or rare by paying particular attention to patient selection, shunt selection and surgical details. The adaptation of local technology and justified use of limited facilities and resources can go a long way in the management of both common and rare complications in developing nations.