Laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Laparoscopic surgery has been relatively contraindicated in patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) because of concerns about the effect of the pneumoperitoneum on shunt function. However, there have been recent reports of laparoscopic surgery on the gallbladder and cecum. This is the first report of laparoscopic high anterior resection for rectal cancer without manipulation of the VPS catheter in a patient with VPS. We made a diagnosis of advanced rectal cancer in a 77-year-old man who had a VPS to treat hydrocephalus after a subarachnoid hemorrhage. We performed the procedure with the patient in a 15° head-down tilt and with 10-mmHg pneumoperitoneum pressure. There were no postoperative complications. We concluded that laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer can be safely performed in patients with VPS.