Yesterday, we looked at placement and recovery following ventriculo-peritoneal surgery. Today, we will look at recovery once the patient gets home and potential complications that can occur.
Recovery at home
After surgery, the patient may experience tenderness in their neck or belly since these are both incision sites. Overall, shunt implant surgery is VERY safe procedure, however, complications can occur both during the procedure and during the recovery period. These include: 1) Infection either in the brain or in the shunt itself; 2) Bleeding inside the brain; 3) Damage to brain tissue; or 4) Edema (swelling) of the brain.
Additionally, in rare cases, patients might experience fever (>36.0 celsius), headache, abdominal pain, fatigue, or a spike in blood pressure (or experiencing symptoms similar to before the shunt was implanted) are indications of either an infection, shunt malfunction, or shunt failure. THESE ARE POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING -- NOTIFY YOUR DOCTOR OR PROCEED TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
What is the prognosis for implant patients?
Shunting is successful in reducing intracranial pressure (ICP) in most patients. One drawback to the shunting process is the fact that it generally (italics added) has to be replaced after several years -- particularly in small children. For infants, the anticipated life of a shunt is two (2) years. After age two and in adults with a shunt, this increases to eight (8) or more years. (I have a friend whose shunt is 37 years-old). Shunt systems require frequent monitoring to prevent: 1) Mechanical failure; 2) Obstruction; or 3) Infection.
My sources:
What is a vetriculoperitoneal shunt? (Healthline.com)
Recovery at home
After surgery, the patient may experience tenderness in their neck or belly since these are both incision sites. Overall, shunt implant surgery is VERY safe procedure, however, complications can occur both during the procedure and during the recovery period. These include: 1) Infection either in the brain or in the shunt itself; 2) Bleeding inside the brain; 3) Damage to brain tissue; or 4) Edema (swelling) of the brain.
Additionally, in rare cases, patients might experience fever (>36.0 celsius), headache, abdominal pain, fatigue, or a spike in blood pressure (or experiencing symptoms similar to before the shunt was implanted) are indications of either an infection, shunt malfunction, or shunt failure. THESE ARE POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING -- NOTIFY YOUR DOCTOR OR PROCEED TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
What is the prognosis for implant patients?
Shunting is successful in reducing intracranial pressure (ICP) in most patients. One drawback to the shunting process is the fact that it generally (italics added) has to be replaced after several years -- particularly in small children. For infants, the anticipated life of a shunt is two (2) years. After age two and in adults with a shunt, this increases to eight (8) or more years. (I have a friend whose shunt is 37 years-old). Shunt systems require frequent monitoring to prevent: 1) Mechanical failure; 2) Obstruction; or 3) Infection.
My sources:
What is a vetriculoperitoneal shunt? (Healthline.com)
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