A case of asymptomatic passage per-rectum of a fractured redundant peritoneal catheter from a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.
Over 30 cases of perforation of the bowel have been described by intact peritoneal catheters of ventriculo-peritoneal and some lumbo-peritoneal shunts. Because of this risk it is advocated that redundant or free fractured or disconnected peritoneal catheters should if possible be removed from the abdomen; although we could find no reports of morbidity from such free fragments. We describe a case of extrusion per-rectum of a redundant fractured peritoneal catheter which it had not been possible to retrieve after a revision procedure.
Ashpole
R
R
Department of Neurosurgery, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, England.
Boulton
R
R
Holmes
A E
AE
D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity; D012007:Rectum; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*