Operative gastric perforation: a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunts are reported in 24-47 % of cases. These include mechanical malfunction and infection, cerebrospinal fluid collection, shunt migration, and visceral perforation. Intestinal perforation, most commonly colonic, may be associated with meningitis or cerebral abscess. Gastric migration has been previously described as a late complication related to the use of stiff Raimondi coil-spring peritoneal catheters in children with malnutrition and abdominal adhesions. We report a case of operative gastric perforation, a rare complication which was detected prior to development of symptoms.