A case of infertility in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

OBJECTIVE AND

IMPORTANCE

Complications arising from the placement of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are well documented. A case of infertility is presented that was thought to result from factors related to the distal end of a VP shunt residing within a patient's abdomen.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old female with a 3-year history of infertility was referred for fallopian tube blockage. An exploratory laparoscopy revealed multiple adhesions adjoining the distal end of her fallopian tubes. The distal portion of a VP shunt placed at childhood (with subsequent revisions) was found entangled among grossly inflamed and densely adhesive pelvic viscera.

INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was performed and the patient's fallopian tubes were reconstituted. The distal portion of the VP shunt was freed from the surrounding viscera and was not revised.

CONCLUSION

VP shunts may produce adhesive disease and complicate fertility via mechanical, chemical, and/or infectious processes.