Effect of antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheters in decreasing the incidence of shunt infection in the treatment of hydrocephalus

• DOI: 10.3171/ped.2005.103.2.0131
• Publication Date: 2010-08-27T06:00:46Z
• Authors: Daniel M. Sciubba; R. Morgan Stuart; Matthew J. McGirt; Graeme F. Woodworth; Amer Samdani; Benjamin Carson; George I. Jallo
• Keywords: Male; Adolescent; Infant; Bacterial Infections; Equipment Design; Staphylococcal Infections; Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; Anti-Bacterial Agents; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; Child, Preschool; Multivariate Analysis; Humans; Female; Child; Hydrocephalus; Proportional Hazards Models; Retrospective Studies

The majority of shunt infections occur within 6 months placement and chiefly result from perioperative colonization components by skin flora. Antibiotic-impregnated (AIS) systems have been designed to prevent such colonization. In this study, the authors evaluate incidence infection after introduction an AIS system in a population children with hydrocephalus.The retrospectively reviewed all pediatric patients who had undergone cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) insertion at their institution over 3-year period between April 2001 March 2004. During 18 prior October 2002, CSF shunts included standard, nonimpregnated catheters. antibiotic-impregnated All were followed up for surgery, shunt-related complications, including infection, evaluated. independent association catheter use subsequent was assessed via multivariate proportional hazards regression analysis. A total 211 underwent 353 procedures. 208 (59%) placed catheters; 145 (41%) catheters 2002. Of catheters, 25 (12%) experienced whereas only two (1.4%) 6-month follow-up (p < 0.01). Adjusting intercohort differences analysis, independently associated 2.4-fold decreased likelihood infection.The significantly reduced hydrocephalus during early postoperative (< months). used is effective instrument components.