Abdominal Insufflation Is Associated With Increase of Intracranial Pressure in Patients With Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

BACKGROUND: Ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) is effective for the treatment of normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and sometimes requires laparoscopic assistance with abdominal insufflation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of abdominal insufflation with opening pressure (OP) in NPH patients undergoing VPS implantation. METHODS: Between March 2016 and April 2019, 52 consecutive patients who underwent first-time VPS implantation surgery were retrospectively identified by reviewing electronic health records. OP during the large volume lumbar tap test (OPLP) and VPS implantation surgery (OPSURGERY) were measured in 29 patients. RESULTS: Laparoscopic assistance with abdominal insufflation was used in 20 (69%) cases. There were no differences in patient age (P = .589), gender (P = .822), body mass index (P = .289), weight (P = .789), height (P = .542), and OPLP (P = .476) in patients operated with and without laparoscopic assistance. When compared to patients operated without laparoscopic assistance, laparoscopic assistance was associated with a greater rate of OP increase during surgery relative to OPLP (40% vs 100%, P = .002), a greater increase in OPSURGERY relative to OPLP (-0.40 ± 5.38 vs 10.17 ± 5.53 cm H2O, P < .001), and a greater proportion of patients with OPSURGERY of ≥25 cm H2O during the VPS surgery (0% vs 78%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Abdominal insufflation is associated with an increase in intracranial pressure with OPs often exceeding 25 cm H2O. This should be considered when selecting optimal VPS pressure settings.