Transoral Migration of the Inferior End of a Peritoneal Catheter: A Rare Complication of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Kouitcheu Romuald, N'dri Oka Dominique, Varlet Guy

Abstract: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is the most commonly used technique for the treatment of hydrocephalus. It essentially involves two types of complications (infectious and mechanical). Transoral migration of the inferior end of the peritoneal catheter is a rare but dangerous complication. A review of the literature from search engines, PubMed, ScienceDirect, google scholar, in English with the s ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, complications and transoral migration identifies, only 8 cases of transoral migration published. We report the case of a 2-year-old male infant who had undergone VP shunt for tetra-ventricular hydrocephalus. Ten months later, the patient had a protrusion of the peritoneal catheter in his mouth. Ablation of the VP shunt, with placement of an external ventricular shunt was performed. Antibiotic therapy was administered followed by a VP shunt referral. The evolution was favorable.

Keywords: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt, Transoral migration, Complications