An experience with ventriculoperitoneal shunting at keen’s point for hydrocephalus

Objective: This study was conducted to assess outcomes in patients with hydrocephalus who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting at Keen’s point.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Peshawar. Time frame was four years from January 2011 to January 2015. The presenting complaints, clinical findings, investigations, treatment plans and surgical outcomes were noted. Ventriculo-Peritoneal (VP) shunting was done at Keen’s point. The presence of shunt complications in the first week post-surgery was noted and at a three-month follow up in the outpatient department. General condition of the patient, shunt complications, presence of seizure and worsening of vision were noted.

Results: Study included 143 patients, out of whom 46 were females and 95 were male patients. Most common causes of hydrocephalus were congenital (79). Majority of adults had hydrocephalus due to central nervous system tumors while congenital hydrocephalus in children was most frequently due to aqueductal stenosis. Good clinical improvement was seen in 114 patients after shunt placement, satisfactory in 20 patients, 7 patients died while we observed no change in two patients.

Conclusion: Our experience with VP shunting at Keen’s point resulted in excellent outcomes. It can be used for the management of hydrocephalus both in pediatric as well as adult population.