Bacterial peritonitis in patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Bacterial peritonitis is an unusual complication of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt for hydrocephalus. This complication, usually associated with peritoneal cysts of perforated viscus, may occur as the first manifestation of shunt infection. Early recognition of this form of bacterial peritonitis and appropriate antibiotic therapy may avert major abdominal surgery in selected cases.