Management of exposed ventriculoperitoneal shunt on the scalp in pediatric patients

PurposeThe exposure of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt on the scalp is a serious complication. There are limited studies evaluating this complication’s management in the literature. The aim of this study is to define the management of shunt salvage and the reconstruction of the scalp.MethodsThis retrospective study included seven pediatric patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts that were exposed on the scalp for various reasons. The demographic characteristics of the patients and the medical and surgical treatments used were recorded. The patient follow-up durations and complications associated with these methods were determined.ResultsFour female and three male patients with an average age of 5.7 were followed for an average of 9.4 months. All but one of these patients were treated without removing the shunt. While one skin flap was used in one patient, successful repairs were made with double skin flaps in five patients. There were no complications during follow-up for the patients treated with these methods.ConclusionIn this study, the appropriate management of shunt exposure, which is common in pediatric cases, has been revealed. Given appropriate infection prevention, the reconstruction of the scalp is possible without the removal of the shunt.