Predictors of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Failure in Children Undergoing Initial Placement or Revision

Background: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement, the mainstay of treatment for hydrocephalus, can place a substantial burden on patients and health care systems because of high complication and revision rates. We aimed to identify factors associated with 30-day VP shunt failure in children undergoing either initial placement or revision.Methods: VP shunt placements performed on patients in the 2012-2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric were identified.Results: VP shunts were placed in 3,984 patients either as an initial placement (n = 1,093) or as a revision (n = 2,891). Compared to the initial-placement group, the revision group was significantly more likely to experience shunt failure (14 vs. 8%, p
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research