Use of the guidewire for repositioning displaced spinal catheter during lumboperitoneal shunt placement

BACKGROUND: During lumboperitoneal shunt operation, we may inadvertently pull and displace the spinal catheter after the catheter placement into the spinal canal. The authors introduce an easy and efficient technique for repositioning a prolapsed catheter into correct place. METHODS: After the confirmation of cerebrospinal fluid outflow from the end of the catheter, a guidewire for angiogram was gently inserted into the catheter until its tip reached the end of the catheter. The guidewire-inserted catheter was able to be pushed back manually and adequately placed in the spinal canal under the fluoroscope guidance. RESULTS: Three patients underwent repositioning using this “rescue wire technique” without complications. CONCLUSION: This “rescue wire technique” is useful for repositioning of the displaced catheter into the spinal canal.