Complications Following Ventriculo-Peritoneal Shunts

While evaluating the data obtained from the neurosurgical clinics in Dusseldorf, Erlangen, Essen, Giessen, Gunzburg, Hannover, Heidelberg, Koln and Wurzburg we were a little astonished to find that of the 1,612 patients in this study only 230 had been provided with a peritoneal catheter. With a few exceptions these catheters were used only in three participating clinics. Perhaps one could conclude a certain reservation about using peritoneal shunt systems.