[Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections in children and adolescents with hydrocephalus].
OBJECTIVE
To determine frequency, etiology, site and clinical and laboratory findings of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infections in children and adolescents with hydrocephalus managed in Hospital Governador João Alves Filho, Aracaju SE, Brazil.


METHODS
A non-controlled prospective observational study comprising 50 patients that underwent VPS (58 procedures) from January/2003 to October/2004.


RESULTS
Infection rate per procedure was 27.6%; surgical risk index (NNISS-CDC) 0 and 1-2 were 25.7% and 30.4% respectively; surgical site infection was the main complication with 50% of the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Infection rates per procedure, per patient, and per surgical risk index were high. No statistical differences were found related to the following: age, etiology of hydrocephalus, type of procedure, pre-operative length of stay, duration of procedure, antibiotic prophylaxis, previous central nervous system catheter, and surgical risk index.
Lima
Márcia Maria Macêdo
MM
Hospital Governador Joao Alves Filho, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Avenida Sizino Martins Fontes 84/102, 49032-510 Aracaju, SE, Brazil. marcialima@infonet.com.br
Pereira
Carlos Umberto
CU
Silva
Angela Maria
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*