ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ventriculoatrial shunt (VAS) is considered the second option for treating hydrocephalus, but there remains a lack of robust evidence regarding its complications profile. PURPOSE: Evaluate the complications associated with VAS. METHODS: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, the authors searched Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases to identify articles reporting on the complications of VAS. Eligible articles were required to report whether complications occurred in a cohort of at least four patients. The extraction process focused on various outcome measures, including overall complications, pulmonary complications, cardiac complications, mortality, shunt revisions, glomerulonephritis, intracranial hemorrhage, and hygroma. Complications were defined as any adverse events related to the procedure, including revisions. RESULTS: After retrieving a total of 2828 articles, 53 studies met the predefined criteria, involving 2862 patients. The overall complication rate was estimated at 33 % (95 % CI: 25-42 %), while the long-term complications rate was found to be 49 % (95 % CI: 32-67 %). Among the pediatric population, the complication rate was calculated to be 53 % (95 % CI: 39-68 %). The overall revision rate was estimated at 32 % (95 % CI: 23-41 %), with an infection rate of 5 % (95 % CI: 3-7 %). Notably, in the pediatric group, the infection rate was 10 % (95 % CI: 6-13 %). The random analysis indicated an estimated risk of 0 % for glomerulonephritis, intracranial hemorrhage, hygroma, cardiac complications, pulmonary complications, and shunt-related mortality. CONCLUSION: VAS is a safe alternative when ventriculoperitoneal shunting is not feasible. Risk of classic severe complications is minimal. Nevertheless, caution is required when shunting critical patients. Further randomized studies are warranted to establish the ideal shunt for different patients.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Deep vein thrombosis is a common disease among people who are immobilized. Immobility is inherent to paraplegia and leads to venous stasis, which is one of the factors covered by Virchow's triad describing its development. Trauma is the primary cause of paraplegia and is currently increasing at a rate of 4% per year. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in paraplegic patients whose paraplegia was caused by traumas, using color Doppler ultrasonography for diagnosis. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study of 30 trauma-induced paraplegia patients, selected after analysis of medical records at the neurosurgery department of a University Hospital in Curitiba, Brazil, and by a proactive survey of associations that care for the physically disabled. The prevalence of deep vein thrombosis was analyzed using 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Spinal cord trauma was the cause of paraplegia in 29 patients. The most common cause of trauma was gunshot wounding, reported by 17 patients. Deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasonography in 14 patients in the sample. The most often affected vein was the posterior tibial, in 11 patients. The left lower limb was involved three times more often than the right. Edema was observed in 25 individuals, cyanosis in 14, ulcers in 8 and localized increase in temperature in 13. CONCLUSIONS: Deep vein thrombosis was prevalent, occurring in 46.7% of the patients. .
CONTEXTO: A trombose venosa profunda é uma doença comum em indivíduos imobilizados. A imobilização, inerente aos pacientes paraplégicos, gera a estase venosa, que é um dos fatores descritos da tríade de Virchow para o seu desenvolvimento. O trauma é a principal causa de paraplegia e, atualmente, vem aumentando a uma taxa de 4% ao ano. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de trombose venosa profunda em paraplégicos, em que o trauma foi o agente causal da paraplegia, utilizando como método diagnóstico o eco Doppler colorido. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional transversal, composto por 30 pacientes paraplégicos por trauma, selecionados segundo uma análise de prontuários do Serviço de Neurocirurgia de um Hospital Universitário de Curitiba e por busca ativa em associações de assistência aos deficientes físicos. A análise da prevalência de trombose venosa profunda foi efetuada pelo intervalo de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: O traumatismo raquimedular foi a causa da paraplegia em 29 pacientes. A causa mais frequente do trauma foi o ferimento por arma de fogo, relatado por 17 pacientes. A presença de trombose venosa profunda diagnosticada por eco Doppler colorido foi observada em 14 pacientes da amostra. Dentre estes, a veia mais acometida foi a tibial posterior, em 11 pacientes. O membro inferior esquerdo foi três vezes mais acometido que o direito. O edema foi observado em 25 indivíduos, a cianose em 14, a úlcera em oito e o aumento de temperatura local em 13. CONCLUSÃO: A trombose venosa profunda foi prevalente, ocorrendo em 46,7% dos pacientes. .
