Shunt occlusion in subxiphoid approach versus anti-McBurney point approach for ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement

Objective To access the long-term clinical outcomes of the anti-McBurney point approach versus the subxiphoid approach for ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Methods Clinical data about 75 cases who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery from May 2014 to May 2018 in our center for hydrocephalus were divided into two groups. Shunt catheters in group A(n=45) were placed by using subxiphoid approach, and catheters in group B(n=30) by anti-McBurney point approach. There was no significant difference in age, gender, pathogenesis and cerebrospinal fluid protein content between the two groups. Incidence of shunt blockage was compared between the two methods. Results There was significant difference in incidence of postoperative long-term shunt blockage between the two groups group A: 5 cases(11.1%) vs group B: 0 case(0), P=0.021. Conclusion The anti-McBurney approach is superior to the subxiphoid approach and it can be used as an routine method for ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement.