The Incidence Rate of Complications among Patients of Benign Intracranial Hypertension after Lumbo-Peritoneal Shunt Procedure Operation

Background: Lumboperitoneal (LP) shunts have been used to manage benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) for an extended period. While they may swiftly and effectively alleviate symptoms, their application is accompanied by potential complications. Objectives: This research aimed to retrospectively analyze the difficulties and complications related to LP shunt implantation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the records of 47 patients who had LP shunt placement for the treatment of BIH at our hospital throughout the research period. A thorough history and physical examination were conducted in every case. All patients were asked about age, gender, body mass index, neurological history, and oral contraceptive usage. Post-operative complications, clinical and ophthalmological follow-up occurred at 1, 3, and 6 months post-op. Results: Patients were mostly women (93.6%). The mean age of the patients was 35, and 80.9 percent had BMIs exceeding 25. Many female patients (40.9%) used oral contraceptives. Nearly all patients (93.6%) reported decreased vision, and 87.2% suffered headaches. The most common issue was shunt obstruction (51%), followed by low tension headaches (63.8%). The peritoneal side (10.6%) had higher shunt slippage than the thecal (2.1%). Superficial infections and radiculopathy affected 10.6% of patients, whereas CNS infections, arachnoiditis, and shunt failure affected just 2.1%. Five patients (10.6%) had Chiari malformation, and 60% had syringomyelia. Conclusion: Using LP shunts to treat BIH seems to be a method devoid of major risks despite the high revision rates. At the same time, more severe complications such as CNS infections, arachnoiditis, and shunt failure were less common.