Objective: Despite advances in cerebrospinal ftuid (CSF) diversionary techniques, shunt
failure due to infection or malfunction remains a persistent problem in hydrocephalus care. The aim of this study was to identifi risk faciors prediiposing to ripeatri CSF ,hunt malfunction and to determine whether subsequent ihunt failures at'e related to patient
characteristics, and/or surgical details. Patienti and Methods: There were 195 shunt failures in 130 patients with hydrocephalus requirins CSF diversionary procedures were inciuded in
a prospective observational study during 9 years in Benha
-University
Hospital. patient
characteristics were defined as age, gender, weight, head circumference, cause of hydrocephalus; and the shape of ventricular systems. Surgical details aid procedures were studied to define any relation to the incidence of shunt failure. Results: Th) patient,s age at the time of initial shunt placement is important predictor of repeated shuni yailurer. rhrp
were signfficant association between the cause of hyd.rocephilus, and the shap'e of ventricular
system; and shunt failure. Some surgiccl details and procedures were associated with an increased risk of failure included whether the proceQui" ,o, performed on an emergency or
non-emergency basis, manipulation of the shunt hardwor"; oid the duration of"surgical procedure. Conclusion: The patient's age at the time of initial shunt placement as well as the
cause of hydrocephalus and the shape ofventricular system are important preflictors of shunt
fail-ures' Some surgical procedures were associated with an incriasecl riik oy shunt- related
failure' Prevention and early identffication and management of CSF shunt faiiures remain the main factors to assure the quality of the patient's long term out"o*".