Laparoscopic versus open approach for implantation of the peritoneal catheter during ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement

Background Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is the mainstay of therapy for hydrocephalus. The aim of this study is to compare outcomes of laparoscopic (LVPS) versus open (OVPS) techniques for placement of distal VPS catheters. Methods All patients undergoing new VPS placement at a tertiary care center between January 2004 and August 2007 were included. Univariate analysis was performed. Wilcoxon rank-sum, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests were used to make comparisons between LVPS and OVPS groups. Stepwise backward logistic regression was performed to predict complications requiring operative intervention. A Kaplan-Meier estimate of the survival function was calculated for shunt survival. All data is presented as median and range unless otherwise specified. Results Five hundred thirty-five consecutive patients underwent 579 VPS (258 LVPS, 321 OVPS). Median age (52.0 years) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (3) were similar in LVPS and OVPS groups. Body mass index (BMI) [27.8 (17.0-64.9) kg/m(2) versus 25.9 (12.3-44.4) kg/m(2), p = 0.007], previous operations [0.8 +/- 0.9 versus 0.6 +/- 0.7, p = 0.004 (mean +/- standard deviation)], estimated blood loss (EBL) [20 (0-175) ml versus 25 (0-500) ml, p < 0.001], operating room (OR) time [37.5 (17.0-152.0) min versus 52.0 (20.0-197.0) min, p < 0.001], and length of stay (LOS) [11 (1-77) days versus 14 (1-225) days, p = 0.016] were statistically different between the LVPS and OVPS groups, respectively. LVPS abdominal complication rate of 5.8% and OVPS rate of 6.9% were similar (p = 0.611). Previous abdominal operation [odds ratio (OR) 1.673, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.100-2.543, p = 0.016] and previous VPS (OR 1.929, 95% CI 1.147-3.243, p = 0.016) were significant predictors of complications requiring operative intervention. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated no difference in survival between LVPS and OVPS groups (p = 0.538), with overall shunt survival of 86.4% at 6 months and 83.0% at 1 year. Conclusions LVPS is associated with decreased OR time, less blood loss, and shorter LOS with no difference in complication rate when compared OVPS. The laparoscopic approach for VPS is a safe, effective, and readily reproducible alternative to the traditional open approach.