{"id":"83c2b701-2486-4045-bd06-88df54904a34","slug":"shunt-fracture-in-two-children-with-myelomeningocele-following-spine-surgery","title":"Shunt fracture in two children with myelomeningocele following spine surgery","authors":["Nazanin Baradaran","Farideh Nejat","Nima Baradaran","Mostafa El Khashab"],"abstract":"Background: Shunted hydrocephalus is a condition requiring continuous medical surveillance and surgical intervention due to the risks of malfunction and infection. Children with myelomeningocele (MMC) are particularly susceptible to shunt complications, necessitating vigilant follow-up. Methods: This original article presents two case studies of children with MMC who experienced acute shunt malfunction following spinal surgery. Both patients underwent surgical interventions, including untethering procedures and shunt revisions, with careful monitoring of shunt function. Results: In the first case, a 6-year-old girl developed a distal shunt fracture after an untethering procedure, confirmed by imaging studies. The second case involved a 5-year-old boy who experienced CSF leakage and subsequent shunt malfunction, also resulting from a distal catheter fracture, which was successfully revised. Conclusion: The cases highlight the risk of shunt malfunction related to distal tube fractures in pediatric patients following spinal surgery. Prone positioning during and after surgery, along with pre-existing chest deformities, may contribute to these complications, emphasizing the need for attentive follow-up of shunt function. Keywords: myelomeningocele, shunt fracture, hydrocephalus, pediatric neurosurgery, spinal surgery, cerebrospinal fluid, shunt malfunction","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/83c2b701-2486-4045-bd06-88df54904a34/featured/hero-1782421061543.png","publishDate":"2010-10-06T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.70852","categories":["Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/83c2b701-2486-4045-bd06-88df54904a34/pdf"}