Infection Rate of External Ventricular Drain in Neurosurgical Patients
Abstract:
Background: External ventricular drain (EVD) is a common neurosurgical procedure, associated with high rates of infection and consequent morbidity and mortality.
Objective: The aim of the study is to analyze the EVD related infections, the risk factors, management and prevention.
Methods: This is a retrospective analysis from January 2011 to December 2013; a total of 160 patients having EVD inserted, sixteen patients had a primary Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection and were excluded from the further analyzes of the secondary EVD infections. Hence, 144 patients were included in the study. Sets of clinical parameters were analyzed in these cases to verify the EVD infection rate and the related causes, risk factors, causative agents and outcome.
Results: A total of 160 patients, 182 EVD procedures, and 1016 catheter-days were evaluated. The EVD-associated CSF infection rate was 18.8%. The most common diagnosis required EVD was strokes (59.7%). (44%) of the infections were caused by Gram-negative organisms. All of the patients received antibiotic prophylaxis.
Conclusion: It has been found that there are a relative high percentage of EVD-related infections. After different analysis of the existing data we found that manipulation of the EVD and the duration of the drainage were the most risk factors for the EVD infections. A new EVD protocol has been proposed in our hospital to minimize such infections.
