A Rare Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Surgery Complication: Epidural Hematoma: Case Report

Abstract

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt operations are among the most frequently performed neurosurgical procedures. Epidural hematoma is a rare but serious complication of this procedure. We inserted al this ventriculoperitoneal shunt in a 21-year-old-man due to intraventricular mass and hydrocephalus (grade III). His complaints resolved quickly without any neurological deficit. However, we observed an epidural hematoma on the right frontoparietal region on the fifth day postoperatively. The patient refused surgery. Clinical and tomographic follow up showed that epidural hematoma resolved spontaneously. We reviewed life threatening complication of a common used surgical procedure in the light of recent studies. We conclude that patients need close observation and computerized brain tomography examination in the early postoperative period.