• R Eymann, W-I Steudel, and M Kiefer.
• Department of Neurosurgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany. Regina.Eymann@uks.eu
• Klin Padiatr. 2009 Mar 1;221(2):69-73.

BackgroundThe infection rate of hydrocephalus shunts in children amounts figures of up to 25% and the according mortality rate is alarming high nowadays yet. An antibiotic impregnated shunt-catheter (AIS) was designed to reduce the incidence of shunt infections.Patients And MethodIn a non randomized trial 56 children were examined between January 2002 inclusive December 2007. The minimal follow-up was six months. Only children were included, who were shunted for the first time. In the study group (n=34) AIS (Bactiseal ) Codman, Johnson & Johnson, MA, Boston, USA) were used, while the control group (n=22) was provided with conventional, not-antibiotic impregnated catheters. To compare the risk profile for shunt infections, we defined, - according to the literature -, some risk factors.ResultsDespite the incidence of shunt infections has been supposed to be higher according to the higher risk profile of the AIS group compared with controls, the shunt infection rate of the AIS group was lower than the shunt infection rate in the control group.ConclusionsApparently, AIS can reduce the incidence of shunt infections in children. Further prospective trials with a larger cohort are necessary for a statistically significant prove.

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