Torkildsen's ventriculocisternostomy: some complications and their prevention.

Torkildsen's ventriculocisternostomy retains a certain usefulness despite the recent popularity of newer procedures. Despite many modifications and suggestions for improving the procedure, certain hazards and complications remain. We report instances of myelopathy from contact with and impalement by the cervical end of the tube, acute quadriplegia, unsuspected kinking of the catheter and late ventricular catheter malposition together with certain suggestions for modifications of technique which we believe will make Torkildsen's shunting more reliable and safe.