Laparoscopic cecal cancer resection in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt: A case report.

Introduction: The presence of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt has been considered to be a contraindication for laparoscopic surgery till date; however, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was recently reported as safe for patients with this shunt.

Presentation Of Case: We present the first case, to the best of our knowledge, of laparoscopic colectomy for cecal cancer in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. A 59-year-old woman with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus was referred to our hospital with cecal cancer. Laparoscopic cecal cancer resection was performed successfully and uneventfully by manipulating the shunt.

Discussion: Clamping of the shunt catheter at the subcutaneous region was performed before insufflation of carbon dioxide to prevent adverse effects from the pneumoperitoneum.

Conclusion: We believe that laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer can be performed safely in patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt by optimal manipulation of the shunt.