Incisional hernia after ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a common neurosurgical procedure that is performed to drain the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the peritoneal cavity. Although a relatively safe procedure, at times, it can be associated with a variety of complications at the abdominal end such as displacement, cyst formation, inguinal hernia, hydrocele, perforation of intra abdominal organs, or extrusion. Rarely, an incisional hernia may occur at the abdominal incision. We present a rare case of an incisional hernia occurring at the abdominal site of shunt insertion and highlight the problems faced while repairing it.

The Sri Lanka Journal of Surgery 2015; 33(1): 37-40