A Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunt is a medical device used to treat hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by the accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain’s ventricles. This buildup can cause increased intracranial pressure, leading to symptoms like headaches, nausea, vision problems, and cognitive difficulties. The VP shunt helps drain this excess fluid from the brain to another part of the body, usually the peritoneal cavity (the abdominal space), where the fluid can be absorbed naturally.

The procedure to insert a VP shunt involves surgery, typically performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision in the scalp and drills a tiny hole in the skull to insert the catheter (a thin, flexible tube) into one of the brain’s ventricles. The other end of the catheter is tunneled under the skin and connected to a valve, which regulates the flow of CSF. From there, another catheter is extended from the valve to the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen. This allows the CSF to drain away from the brain, reducing pressure and preventing further complications.