Complete intracranial migration of ventriculoperitoneal shunt: a common procedure with a rare complication

Abstract Background Ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion is widely used in the treatment of different kinds of hydrocephalus. Shunt failure is one of the most common complications; however complete intracranial shunt migration is rarely reported. Case presentation We report a case of an eleven-month-old girl with complete intracranial migration of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (Chhabra Shunt). We removed this intracranially migrated shunt with the help of an endoscope (GAAB) and inserted a new Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (Medtronic Shunt) on the opposite side. She had a good clinical outcome. Conclusion Complete intracranial shunt migration is an extremely rare complication. It is likely due to raised intra-peritoneal pressure, strong head movements, and inadequate shunt fixation. The best possible approach to prevent shunt migration would be better patient handling along with appropriate operative techniques.