Objective: Due to the substantial lack of data from Iraq on ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) complications, this study aims to examine the various types of complications after VPS surgery in Baghdad Medical City.
Methods: The retrospective cohort study analyzed VPS procedures at Baghdad Medical City from 2019 to 2022. The overall complication rate, including infection and shunt malfunction, was determined from patient records. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board, with consent waived due to the study's retrospective nature. The findings highlight the need for improved management to reduce complication rates in VP shunt procedures.
Results: The study involved 113 participants with an average age of 2.62 years (±3.4). The most common indications for VPS placement are congenital hydrocephalus (40%) and postinfectious hydrocephalus (30%). The most common complications of post-VPS surgery are VP obstruction (54%) and postsurgical infections (44%). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications across different age groups.
Conclusions: Our study showed the significant complication rate associated with VPS surgeries for hydrocephalus, particularly VPS infections and obstruction. There were no significant age-related differences in VPS complication rates across age groups.
Keywords: Cerebrospinal fluid; Complications; Hydrocephalus; Neurosurgery; VPS; Ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
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