A new technique of placing the peritoneal end of syringoperitoneal shunt

Objective

Syringoperitoneal shunt is an established method of treating syringomyelia. Syringeal end of the shunt is usually inserted to the patient in prone position, and the peritoneal end is inserted in supine position. This necessitates intraoperative repositioning of patient. To avoid this inconvenience, a new technique of placing the peritoneal end through posterior approach is described in this paper.

Methods and materials

In the new technique, peritoneal cavity is approached through posterior route lateral to erector spinae at the level of L3–L4. An infant who presented with sacral meningocele, tethered cord, and syringomyelia was treated using this new technique along with excision of meningocele and de-tethering of the cord.

Results

There were no complications, and the short-term results at 3-year follow-up are encouraging. Theoretical advantages of the new technique include reduced risk of shunt migration and improved cosmesis of surgical scar.

Conclusion

Posterior approach of placing the peritoneal end of syringoperitoneal shunt is technically feasible, and it appears to have advantages over the traditional method of anterior approach.