Neuroendoscope-Assisted Extracranial Tunneling During Pediatric Ventriculoperitoneal Shunting: A Technical Note and Initial Experience.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a neuroendoscope-assisted technique for mastoid-region valve-pocket preparation and extracranial subcutaneous tunneling during ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery in pediatric patient.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed pediatric patients who underwent neuroendoscope-assisted extracranial tunneling during ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement at our institution. Patient selection, operative setup, mastoid-region valve-pocket preparation, endoscope-assisted subcutaneous tunneling, valve-catheter alignment verification, and early postoperative observations were summarized.

RESULTS

Fifteen pediatric patients were included in this initial technical experience. Neuroendoscopic visualization allowed direct inspection of the mastoid-region subcutaneous plane, identification and management of focal bleeding points when present, guidance of the tunneling procedure from the mastoid pocket, and confirmation of valve-catheter alignment. No intraoperative conversion to conventional blind tunneling was required. Intraoperative endoscopic inspection identified correctable technical findings, including valve-catheter angulation in 2 patients, mastoid emissary venous bleeding in 1 patient, and valve malorientation or inversion in 1 patient; all were corrected during the index procedure. Early postoperative imaging demonstrated ventricular decompression after shunt placement. No early shunt malposition, shunt-related reoperation, or procedure-related death was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroendoscope-assisted extracranial tunneling is a feasible visualization-guided technique for selected pediatric VPS cases, particularly in small children or patients with potentially difficult subcutaneous tunneling. This approach may improve technical control during mastoid pocket preparation, focal hemostasis, and valve-catheter alignment verification. Larger prospective studies are needed to determine whether these technical advantages translate into clinically meaningful outcome benefits.