Asymptomatic perforation of large bowel and urinary bladder as a complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt: report of two cases.

INTRODUCTION Insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, the method of choice in the treatment of hydrocephalus, is often followed by various mechanical and/or infective complications. We present two children with asymptomatic perforation of the large bowel and urinary bladder, relatively rare and potentially severe complications of this surgical procedure. OUTLINE OF CASES In both patients a VP shunt was implanted in the first month after birth; in a boy due to congenital hydrocephalus and in a girl due to the consequences of intracranial haemorrhage. Immediately after surgery, as well as during the further course, in both children growth and development were optimal and without any signs of infection or VP shunt malfunction. In the boy at age 6 months and in the girl at age 4 years, without any signs of complications, mothers noted the prominence of the VP shunt tip from the anus in the first case and from the urethral orifice in the second one. The VP shunts were immediately changed, so that both complications were resolved without any consequences. CONCLUSION Insertion of a VP shunt represents the most frequent method of choice of the surgical treatment of hydrocephalus, but also potentially a highly risky procedure followed by various complications about which parents should be informed when patients are children. Owing to adequate approach in the follow-up of children with implanted VP shunt, large bowel and urinary bladder perforation, examples of severe and potentially fatal complications of this surgical intervention, could be disclosed on time and adequately resolved.