Objectives The mechanical shunt complication- shunt migration is roughly noted in 1 in 1000 patients with shunt. Most of the literature on shunt migration is case reports. In this narrative review we analyze about presentation, complications and management options for each site of shunt migration.

Design Narrative review.

Subjects In total 239 articles were reviewed in this narrative review which includes a total of 396 shunt migrations.

Methods Literature search was performed using PubMed Central for all articles containing the term Ventriculoperitoneal shunt migration. All articles published through 2016 were included in this review.

Results Sites of migration were – perforation of the bowel in 139 patients; abdominal wall (57); scrotum (55); chest (32); intracranial (30); cardiac/intravascular (28); genitourinary (15); breast (13); subgaleal (12) and miscellaneous (15).

Conclusions Migration to bowel, heart, intracranial and subgaleal space are associated with 20% chance of shunt dysfunction Any extrusion (irrespective of the site) where the shunt catheter is exposed to the external environment is associated with around 50% chance of shunt infection.