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Ventriculoperitoneal shunt - discharge

Definition

Your child has hydrocephalus and a shunt was placed to drain excess fluid and relieve pressure in the brain. This buildup of brain fluid (cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) causes the brain tissue to press (become compressed) against the skull. Too much pressure or pressure that is present for too long can damage the brain tissue.

After your child goes home, follow the health care provider's instructions on how to care for your child. Use the information below as a reminder.

Alternative Names

Shunt - ventriculoperitoneal - discharge; VP shunt - discharge; Shunt revision - discharge; Hydrocephalus shunt placement - discharge

When Your Child Was in the Hospital

Your child had a cut (skin incision) and a small hole drilled through the skull. A small cut was also made in the belly. A valve was placed underneath the skin behind the ear or at the back of the head. A tube (catheter) was placed into the brain to bring the fluid to the valve. Another tube was connected to the valve and threaded underneath the skin down into your child's belly or elsewhere, like around the lung or in the heart.

What to Expect at Home

Any stitches or staples that you can see will be taken out in about 7 to 14 days.

All parts of the shunt are underneath the skin. During the first few days after the surgery, the area at the top of the shunt may be raised underneath the skin. As the swelling goes away and your child's hair grows back, there will be a small, raised area about the size of a quarter that is usually not noticeable.

Self-care

Do not shower or shampoo your child's head until the stitches and staples have been taken out. Give your child a sponge bath instead. The wound should not soak in water until the skin is completely healed.

Do not push on the part of the shunt that you can feel or see underneath your child's skin behind the ear.

Your child should be able to eat normal foods after going home unless the provider tells you otherwise.

Your child should be able to do most activities:

Your child may have some pain. Children under 4 years old may take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Children age 4 and older may be prescribed stronger pain medicines if needed. Follow your provider's instructions or instructions on the medicine container, about how much medicine to give your child.

When to Call the Doctor

The major problems to watch for are an infected shunt and a blocked shunt.

Contact your child's provider if your child has:

References

Badhiwala JH, Kulkarni AV. Ventricular shunting procedures. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 227.

Rosenberg GA. Brain edema and disorders of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 88.

Tan TQ, Mithal LB. Infections related to prosthetic or artificial devices. In: Cherry JD, Harrison GJ, Kaplan SL, Steinbach WJ, Hotez PJ, ed. Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 74.


Review Date: 7/17/2022
Reviewed By: Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, FRCS (C), FACS, Department of Surgery, Johnson City Medical Center, TN; Department of Surgery St-Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, ND; Department of Neurosurgery Fort Sanders Medical Center, Knoxville, TN, Department of Neurosurgery UPMC Williamsport PA, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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