Complications associated with ventriculoperitoneal shunts in dogs and cats with idiopathic hydrocephalus: A systematic review

Gradner, G. and Kaefinger, R. and Dupré, G.

J Vet Intern Med (2019) 33: 403–412

DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15422

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Several case series and case reports have been published about idiopathic hydrocephalus treatment in dogs and cats using ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS). OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk and type of complications in dogs and cats after VPS placement. ANIMALS: Sixteen papers were included. Sixty dogs and 13 cats with idiopathic hydrocephalus treated by VPS placement were identified. METHODS: The databases CAB, Scopus, and Medline were used. Idiopathic/congenital hydrocephalus, feline/canine patients, ventriculoperitoneal shunting, complications, and outcomes were inclusion criteria. The focus was on complication type and time frame within which they arose. RESULTS: Complications in dogs (n = 60) were shunt obstruction (6/60; 10%), pain (4/60; 5.5%), shunt infection (3/60; 4.1%), disconnection (3/60; 4.1%), excessive shunting (2/60; 2.7%), and kinking (1/60; 1.6%). Complications in cats (n = 13) were coiling of the shunt in the SC tissue (2/13; 15.4%); kinking (1/13; 7.7%); and shunt obstruction (1/13; 7.7%). Complications were most likely during the first 6 months after shunt placement. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is considered a viable treatment option for patients with hydrocephalus. Potential complications should be discussed with the owner. Early diagnosis of complications is essential.

Citation

Gradner, G., Kaefinger, R., & Dupré, G. (2019). Complications associated with ventriculoperitoneal shunts in dogs and cats with idiopathic hydrocephalus: A systematic review. J Vet Intern Med, 33(2), 403–412. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15422 Animals, Dogs, Treatment Outcome, Cats, Dog Diseases/*surgery, Postoperative Complications/veterinary, Cat Diseases/*surgery, canine hydrocephalus, feline hydrocephalus, hydrocephalus shunting systems, Hydrocephalus/complications/surgery/*veterinary, idiopathic hydrocephalus, shunt complications, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt/*veterinary

Keywords

• Animals
• Dogs
• Treatment Outcome
• Cats
• Dog Diseases/*surgery
• Postoperative Complications/veterinary
• Cat Diseases/*surgery
• canine hydrocephalus
• feline hydrocephalus
• hydrocephalus shunting systems
• Hydrocephalus/complications/surgery/*veterinary
• idiopathic hydrocephalus
• shunt complications
• ventriculoperitoneal shunt
• Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt/*veterinary