Long-term results after ventriculoatrial and ventriculoperitoneal shunting for infantile hydrocephalus

Abstract

This series of 228 patients with infantile non-neoplastic hydrocephalus who received either a ventriculoatrial (VA) or a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt before 2 yr of age was followed for an average of 7 yr, and the results with the 2 types of shunt were compared. Mortality and infection rates were similar for both groups of patients, but children with VP shunts required significantly fewer revisions and had a much greater likelihood of not having any revisions during the follow-up period. Late complications occurred more frequently with VA shunts and were more serious. VP shunts offer significant advantages over VA systems in this population.