Risk of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infections After Laparoscopic Placement of Chait Trapdoor™ Cecostomy Catheters in Children

Abstract Introduction: Laparoscopic placement of Chait Trapdoor™ (Cook, Bloomington, IN) cecosotomy catheters has been practiced in our institution since 1999. Chait cecostomy catheters allow antegrade irrigation of the colon without the complications associated with appendicostomies. Although the use of laparoscopy allows precise placement of these catheters into the cecum under direct vision, the presence of a concomitant ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt raises concerns for the potential for a shunt infection. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective review of all patients with VP shunts who underwent laparoscopic placement of a Chait cecostomy catheter from 1999 to 2008. We recorded patient demographics, indication for VP shunt placement, the date of the most recent shunt operation, the method of cecal fixation, follow-up duration, and episodes of shunt infection. Results: Sixteen patients with spina bifida and VP shunts who underwent laparoscopic placement of a Chait cecostomy catheter were ident...