TY - JOUR
T1 - Antibiotic-impregnated ventriculo-peritoneal shunts in patients at high risk of infection
AU - Albanese, Alessio
AU - De Bonis, Pasquale
AU - Sabatino, Giovanni
AU - Capone, Gennaro
AU - Marchese, Enrico
AU - Vignati, Andrea
AU - Maira, Giulio
PY - 2009/10
Y1 - 2009/10
N2 - Purpose: To determine the efficacy of antibiotic impregnated shunts (AIS) in reducing shunt infections in a population at high risk of shunt infection. Methods: From October 2005 to October 2007, patients at high risk of infection (severely disabled, not able to take care of themselves, frequent nosocomial infections) were selected from the 198 adults who underwent shunt placement. Results: Eighteen adults were identified (mean age 61.8 years). Six patients had AISs, and 12 patients had non-AISs. Groups did not differ in age, sex, type of hydrocephalus or hospital stay before shunting. Shunt infection occurred in 7/12 cases of the non-AIS group (58.3%) versus no infections in the AIS group. In six of seven cases, infection occurred within the first 6 months after surgery. A prevalence of S. epidermidis was detected. Conclusions: We believe that in these patients AIS could be effective. Larger, prospective studies are needed in order to definitely address this issue.
AB - Purpose: To determine the efficacy of antibiotic impregnated shunts (AIS) in reducing shunt infections in a population at high risk of shunt infection. Methods: From October 2005 to October 2007, patients at high risk of infection (severely disabled, not able to take care of themselves, frequent nosocomial infections) were selected from the 198 adults who underwent shunt placement. Results: Eighteen adults were identified (mean age 61.8 years). Six patients had AISs, and 12 patients had non-AISs. Groups did not differ in age, sex, type of hydrocephalus or hospital stay before shunting. Shunt infection occurred in 7/12 cases of the non-AIS group (58.3%) versus no infections in the AIS group. In six of seven cases, infection occurred within the first 6 months after surgery. A prevalence of S. epidermidis was detected. Conclusions: We believe that in these patients AIS could be effective. Larger, prospective studies are needed in order to definitely address this issue.
KW - Antibiotic impregnated shunt
KW - High risk of infection
KW - Shunt infection
KW - Shunt infection rate
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U2 - 10.1007/s00701-009-0317-2
DO - 10.1007/s00701-009-0317-2
M3 - Article
C2 - 19390777
AN - SCOPUS:70350015113
VL - 151
SP - 1259
EP - 1263
JO - Acta Neurochirurgica
JF - Acta Neurochirurgica
SN - 0001-6268
IS - 10
ER -