Placement of Gastrostomy Tubes in Patients with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts Does Not Result in Increased Incidence of Shunt Infection or Decreased Survival

The objective of this study was to examine if G-tube (G-tube) placement in patients with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts results in shunt infection or impacts patient survival. We performed a retrospective cohort study. Patients underwent VP shunt and G-tube placement. Incidence of shunt infection and patient survival were calculated. Fifty-five patients qualified for the study. Shunt infection occurred in seven patients (12.5%). The incidence of shunt infection did not differ between surgically placed G-tubes (2/7=29%) and PEG tubes (5/7=71%; P=0.69). There was no difference in the risk of VP infection based on the order of placement (OR=0.61 [0.12–3.02]; P=0.69). No predictors for shunt infection were identified. Kaplan-Meier mortality estimates demonstrated a 21% 1-year mortality rate. There were no predictors of patient survival. We conclude that placement of G-tubes in patients with shunts is safe. The order of placement of G-tube and VP shunt does not affect the incidence of shunt infection or survival.