Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
Alternate Names : Shunt - Ventriculoperitoneal, VP Shunt
Definition Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is surgery is performed to relieve intracranial pressure caused by hydrocephalus. The fluid is shunted from the ventricles of the brain into the abdominal cavity or in rare instances the pleural space in the chest.
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Overview & Description
This procedure is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. A flap is cut in the scalp and a small hole is drilled in the skull. A small catheter is passed into a ventricle of the brain.
A pump (valve which controls flow of fluid) is attached to the catheter to keep the fluid away from the brain. Another catheter is attached to the pump and tunneled under the skin, behind the ear, down the neck and chest and into the peritoneal cavity (abdominal cavity).
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