Percutaneous Abdominal Puncture for Catheterization with Assistance of Guidewire in Lumboperitoneal Shunt.

BACKGROUND

When using a classic lumboperitoneal shunt, laparotomy is inevitable for peritoneal catheter implantation, which is time consuming and difficult for unskilled neurosurgeons. A minimally invasive technique of percutaneous abdominal puncture for catheterization with the assistance of guidewire is introduced in this paper.

METHODS

Ten patients with communicating hydrocephalus received a lumboperitoneal shunt through percutaneous abdominal puncture for catheterization. The safety and effectiveness of percutaneous abdominal puncture for catheterization were followed up for more than 6 months.

RESULTS

The surgery was successfully completed in 10 patients. The average operation time was nearly 30 minutes. No patients reported abdominal organ damage. None of the 10 patients had other complications such as peritonitis and obstruction of abdominal catheters caused by the percutaneous peritoneal puncture technique. One patient presented with intracranial aseptic inflammation postoperatively, which was controlled after repeated lumbar puncture. Another patient confirmed that the lumbar catheter was folded in 6 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

The technique of percutaneous abdominal puncture for catheterization with the assistance of a guidewire is a simple, safe, and effective way to treat communicating hydrocephalus.