Minimally invasive implantation of the peritoneal catheter in ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement for hydrocephalus: analysis of data in 151 consecutive adult patients.

Object: The authors report on their experience with laparoscopy-guided implantation of a peritoneal catheter in ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement procedures in adults.

Methods: In performing the conventional method of shunt placement in 2001, 8% of the cases resulted in malposition and dislocation of the distal catheter; therefore, the authors together with personnel from the Department of General Surgery decided to utilize an interdisciplinary approach involving laparoscopy-guided implantation of the catheter. Between October 2001 and January 2005, 202 ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement procedures were conducted in adult patients for hydrocephalus of various origins.