Creating of "fascial sheath" around subcutaneous lumboperitoneal shunt catheters largely prevents postoperative subcutaneous shunt catheter migration.

BACKGROUND

Spinal catheter migration into the subcutaneous tissue is common after lumboperitoneal shunt (LPS) placement. This study proposed a new method (i.e., wrapping fascia around the catheter like a sheath) to prevent LPS spinal catheter migration.

METHODS

After a LPS spinal catheter was inserted under routine fluoroscopic guidance, and the paravertebral muscle fascia was closed, the fascia was sutured to wrap the catheter like a sheath using intermittent sutures.

RESULTS

Before the introduction of this technique, the rate of LPS spinal catheter subcutaneous migration was 4.6%. In this study, following LPS shunt placement in 18 consecutive patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus, no further spinal catheter migrations were observed.

CONCLUSION

This novel method of "wrapping the LPS catheter with intermittent suture like a sheath" was found to be safe and effective for preventing further spinal catheter subcutaneous migration.