Efficacy of Hydromer-Coated and Antibiotic- Impregnated Shunt Systems in Reducing Early Shunt Infections in the Pediatric Population.

Objective: Shunt infection is the most common complication following a Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion procedure with devastating consequences. This study analyzes the efficacy of different shunt systems in reducing early shunt infections in the pediatric population.

Methods: Retrospective case study analysis of 177 pediatric patients with hydrocephalus de novo shunted using hydromer-coated (HC) shunt systems, antibiotic-impregnated (AI) shunt systems and standard non impregnated shunt systems was performed and compared for the incidence of shunt infection in the early postoperative period.

Results: Group A consisted of standard shunt systems with 63 patients, Group B were HC shunt systems with 67 patients and group C consisted of 47 patients with antibiotic-impregnated shunt systems. Mean age in Group A was 1.36 +/- 3.36 years Mean age in Group B was 2.32 +/- 4.69 years. Mean age in Group C: 0.64 +/- 1.70 years. In terms of shunt infections, HC group had 4 shunt infections (6.25%), as compared to the control group, where 7 patients (10.45%) had infections. The AI group had 1 infection (2.13%). When comparing HC systems versus Standard Non-Impregnated There were 3 shunt malfunction in Group A (4.8%), 2 shunt malfunction in group B (3.3%) and 0 shunt malfunction in Group C (0%).

Conclusion: Hydromer-coated shunt systems and antibiotic-impregnated shunt system represent a superior alternative to standard shunt systems for the reduction of shunt infection in the early post operative period.