Abstract
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) insertion is a common neurosurgical procedure for
the treatment of hydrocephalus. Constipation can play an important role in shunt failure
either by mechanically blocking drainage from the peritoneal end of the VPS catheter
or by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. The present report describes a 2-year-old
boy with shunt-dependent hydrocephalus who presented with signs of shunt dysfunction.
Medical history with detailed physical examination determined the constipation. Before
shunt revision, a pediatric fleet enema was administered to possibly relieve the constipation
and he had good evacuation of the bowel contents. Following the enema, his continuous
crying resolved and ultimately disappeared within a few hours. Brain computed tomography
scans performed 4 days later showed a reduction in ventricular size.
Keywords
constipation - hydrocephalus - ventriculoperitoneal shunt