Background: Myelomeningocele (MMC) is a congenital defect of the central nervous system .Treatment of MMC involves placement of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts for the associated hydrocephalus. The use of VP shunt is associated with potential complications such as shunt-related infections and shunt failures. The effectiveness of antibiotic-impregnated shunts to reduce the incidence of shunt infections is still debated.
This study aimed to compare the outcomes following insertion of antibiotic-impregnated versus nonantibiotic-impregnated ventriculoperitoneal shunts of the same type in cases of early postnatal surgical repair of myelomeningocele associated with hydrocephalus.
During surgery, patients were to either managed with antibiotic-impregnated both ventricular and peritoneal (VP) shunt (Group A, N= 12), or nonantibiotic-impregnated VP shunt of the same type (Group B, N=13). In both groups, the incidence of shunt infection and wound dehiscence, the type of wound management, duration of antibiotic prophylaxis, the need for a secondary procedure, operative time, and hospital stay were assessed.
Results: The incidence of infection and partial wound dehiscence was non-significantly lower in group A than in group B (16.7% versus 30.8%, p=0.645).
Conclusions: finally results showed a non-significant reduction in shunt and CSF infection rates, which was noted with the use of AI systems.