A case of infertility in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
OBJECTIVE
Complications arising from the placement of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are well documented. A case of infertility is presented that was thought to result from factors related to the distal end of a VP shunt residing within a patient's abdomen.


METHODS
A 30-year-old female with a 3-year history of infertility was referred for fallopian tube blockage. An exploratory laparoscopy revealed multiple adhesions adjoining the distal end of her fallopian tubes. The distal portion of a VP shunt placed at childhood (with subsequent revisions) was found entangled among grossly inflamed and densely adhesive pelvic viscera.


METHODS
Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was performed and the patient's fallopian tubes were reconstituted. The distal portion of the VP shunt was freed from the surrounding viscera and was not revised.


CONCLUSIONS
VP shunts may produce adhesive disease and complicate fertility via mechanical, chemical, and/or infectious processes.
White
J Bradley
JB
Department of Neurosurgery, The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. White.Brad@mayo.edu
Raffel
Corey
C
Blackwell
Richard Edgar
RE
D000328:Adult; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010388:Pelvis / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*