Does A Skin Surgery Cause Shunt Malfunction?

Posted on Sat, 19 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 19 Aug 2017 Answered on

Thu, 7 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Dear Doctor please can you help as I am forever asking myself this question My son had a VP shunt due to a childhood brain tumor in 1975 The most recent one fitted when XXXXXXX was 14years old he is now 44 years old Sadly he needed excision of a BCC in close proximity to the shunt site and within a week XXXXXXX fell ill showing signs of shunt failure which was confirmed He remains unwell and quality of life is poor as he is totally dependant on others Do you think the skin surgery could have caused the shunt failure as he was ill in a matter of days and the site of BCC excision raw and inflamed requiring dressings The plastics team injected a blue XXXXXXX called bonnies blue around the site during the surgery and this worried me as it is considered inflammatory and toxic if inhaled
Thank you for you kind consideration of my concerns for my son

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Shunt malfunction to be evaluated further.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

If there are present shunt failure symptoms ( lethargy, difficulties walking, headaches, vomitng, photophobia, cognitive function decline, etc.) further evaluation by a Neurosurgeon and by brain MRI, abdominal x-rays and ultrasound is necessary to understand better your son's condition.

Shunt malfunction may happen anywhere the shunt passes, in your son's case there may be compression of the catheter near the surgery site due to local inflammation and scar tissue, for example.

If the shunt is found to have been failed, shunt revision surgery may be necessary.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (5 hours later)

Dear Doctor Thank you for your valued reply Would you consider the excision of the Basal cell carcinoma so close to my son's vp shunt to have caused it to cease working Also the use of bonnies blue XXXXXXX by injection at the site during skin surgery seemed to be dangerous Could you kindy offer your opinion on these matters Gratefully yours mother of XXXXXXX who now has a new shunt but is ill and unable to walk and needs constant care

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, it is possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Yes, surgery or injections during or near shunting hardware trajectory is a possible way that may cause shunting failure.

However, this needs to be investigated further by your son's Neurosurgeon and by tests mentioned before.

Hope I helped you.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T