Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a well-established modality in the management of hydrocephalus. However, it can be associated with numerous complications and disastrous consequences. 1-4 The reported incidence of intra-abdominal complications in infants and children following VP shunt procedures in the literature is about 24% 5,6 and most of these patients present with abdominal signs and/ or intracranial sepsis. 6 In this article we report such a case and review the relevant literature.Ventricular shunt is a well-established modality in the management of hydrocephalus. However, it can be associated with numerous complications and disastrous consequences. The reported incidence of intra-abdominal complications in infants and children after ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt procedures is about 24% and most of these patients present with abdominal signs and/or intracranial sepsis. In this article we report on a 2-year-old boy who presented with swelling in the right inguino-scrotal region. Imaging showed migration of the peritoneal catheter into the right scrotum.S Afr J CH 2012;6(3):93-94.

Peroral extrusion of the distal end of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt tube is the potentially hazardous end result of a bowel perforation with only few case reports in the literature. The distal end of the peritoneal catheter got fractured in a 4-year-old child and it protruded out through the mouth. The cranial incision was opened and the shunt divided below the chamber. The ventricular end and the chamber and distal end were removed through this incision. In the present successfully managed case we review the current strategies in the management of such a rare complication and discuss the possible pathogenesis of this entity.

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