Do Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts Increase Complications After Laparoscopic Gastrostomy in Children?

Background: In patients requiring gastrostomies, ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are a frequently encountered comorbidity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the postoperative management of children with VP shunts that undergo laparoscopic gastrostomy placement and determine their incidence of complications. Materials and methods: Children 18 y old or younger who underwent laparoscopic gastrostomy placement at a freestanding academic children's hospital between January 2014 and October 2016 were reviewed. Data collected included demographics, management, and outcomes. Patients were compared based on their presence of a VP shunt before laparoscopic gastrostomy. Statistical analysis was performed using chi square, Fisher's exact, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results: We reviewed the medical records of 270 children that underwent laparoscopic gastrostomy placement by 15 pediatric surgeons. Of these, 9% (25) had a previously placed VP shunt. In comparing patients with a VP shunt with those without a VP shunt, there was no significant difference in median age (4 versus 3 y, P = 0.92), gender (48% versus 51% males, P = 0.80), body mass index (15 versus 16, P = 0.69), preoperative diet (48% versus 47% nasogastric tube dependent, P = 0.60), or procedure time (43 versus 42 min, P = 0.37). The postoperative management of these children was similar: day of initiation of postoperative feeds (84% versus 73% on postoperative day #1, P = 0.70), method of initiation of feeds (60% versus 55% continuous, P = 0.25), and type of initial feeds (83% versus 71% Pedialyte, P = 0.24). Similarly, there was no difference in hospital length of stay, return to the emergency department, or postoperative complications within 90 d (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts do not have a higher rate of immediate complications after laparoscopic gastrostomy placement and may be managed similar to other children in the postoperative period.