Vulvar migration of the peritoneal end through the inguinal canal in a female infant: An unusual complication of the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt: A case report and review of literature

Migration of the peritoneal end of the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt through the patent processus vaginalis has been described in preterm male infants with 26 such cases in the literature. The occurrence of this rare complication in the female preterm infants has not yet been reported. We report a 3-month-old premature female infant who presented with a gradual increase in head size since birth. Computed tomography revealed obstructive hydrocephalous secondary to the aqueductal stenosis and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was performed. Ten days following the procedure she presented with swelling and other signs of inflammation over the right vulvar region. X-ray abdomen confirmed the migration of the peritoneal end into the vulva. Surgical obliteration of the patent processus vaginalis and replacement of the peritoneal end was performed. The patient had no recurrence at 6 months of follow-up. This report presents the unusual complication of a common procedure in a female infant with a review of the current literature.