VENTRICULOPERITONEAL SHUNT

Course overview

A VENTRICULOPERITONEAL (VP) SHUNT IS A CEREBRAL SHUNT USED TO TREAT HYDROCEPHALUS. THE SHUNT REMOVES EXCESS CEREBROSPINAL FLUID. IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS, UNTREATED HYDROCEPHALUS CAN LEAD TO MANY ADVERSE EFFECTS INCLUDING INCREASE IRRITABILITIES, CHRONIC HEADACHES, LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, VISUAL DISTURBANCES, AND IN MORE ADVANCED CASES SEVERE MENTAL RETARDATION. THIS REVIEW DESCRIBES THE INDICATIONS OF VP SHUNTS, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE PATIENTS.