Mechanical failures of ventriculo-peritoneal shunts

Abstract

Ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt placement represents the most widely accepted form of treatment for most patients with hydrocephalus. Despite significant improvements in VP shunt procedures, various complications remain a common situation. The diagnosis of shunt failure can be confounded by a variety of factors, mechanical failure being the most common cause of multiple shunt revisions in a lifetime. A better understanding of mechanisms of shunt failure will cause an improvement in the management of this neurosurgical procedure.