Case Report - Management of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt protruding through anus

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is among the most frequently performed operations in the management of hydrocephalus. But it may be associated with certain complications. We have here, a case report of a child of 2 years, who presented with the lower end of the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt tube coming out through the anus. The child was asymptomatic on presentation. Colonoscopy revealed the site of perforation to be in the rectum, 10 cm from the anal verge. After disconnecting the cranial end of the shunt, it was removed endoscopically without any further complications. Though this complication has been previously reported, it remains a rare event. Both pathogenesis and treatment, still represent a problem.