Tag: EVD

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Training on a 3D-Printed Simulation Model Improves Accuracy in External Ventricular Drain Placement

Operative Neurosurgery 29:418–427, 2025

Training neurosurgeons on a 3D-printed simulation model with a standardized protocol significantly improved external ventricular drain (EVD) placement accuracy, reduced variability, and increased confidence, benefitting both junior and experienced practitioners. Regular simulation-based training is recommended to maintain high clinical performance and standardize EVD procedures.

• 3D-printed head models were developed for training neurosurgical residents in external ventricular drain (EVD) placement.

• Training included pre-training, standardized protocol with neuronavigation, and post-training rounds.

• EVD placement accuracy improved significantly after training, with optimal placement rates rising from 55% to 84%.

• Distances to ideal entry and target points, as well as procedure times, were significantly reduced post-training.

• Experience alone did not predict accuracy; even senior neurosurgeons improved, and post-training results were similar across experience levels.

• Right-handed participants achieved better outcomes using their right hand for both sides; left-sided EVDs were more often misplaced.

• Participants’ confidence in EVD placement and direction increased after training.

• Regular, standardized simulation training is recommended for all neurosurgeons, regardless of experience, to maintain high clinical performance.

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Ventriculostomy with subsequent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement after subarachnoid hemorrhage: the effect of implantation site on postoperative complications

Acta Neurochirurgica (2020) 162:1831–1836

Patients suffering from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with shunt-dependent hydrocephalus require subsequent placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) after ventriculostomy. However, in patients with previous ventriculostomy, the site for proximal VPS catheter placement is still controversial.We investigated the effect of catheter placement on postoperative complications by analyzing patients with ventriculostomy and subsequent VPS placement after SAH.

Methods From January 2004 to December 2018, 164 of 1128 patients suffering from SAH underwent subsequent VPS placement after ventriculostomy in the authors’ institution. Patients were divided into two groups according to the position of the ventriculostomy and the site of the proximal VPS catheter (“same site” group versus “contralateral site” group). VPS-related infectious and bleeding complications following VPS placement were assessed and analyzed.

Results Overall, VPS-related infections occurred in 11 of the 164 patients (7%). Furthermore, five of the 164 patients (3%) suffered from VPS-related hemorrhage. However, VPS infection rate was lower 5% (6/115) in the same site compared to 10% (5/49) in the contralateral site group, although without reaching statistical significance (OR = 0.48 (0.14, 1.67) 95% confidence interval, p = 0.3). VPS-related hemorrhage rate did not differ significantly between patients in the same site group (3.5%, 4/115) and the contralateral site group (2.0%, 1/49; OR = 1.73 (0.18, 15.9), p = 1.0).

Conclusions Our study suggests that the use of the ventriculostomy site for VPS placement does not significantly increase the risk of either VPS-related infections or VPS-related hemorrhages.

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Reduction in external ventricular drain infection rate. Impact of a minimal handling protocol and antibiotic-impregnated catheters

Acta Neurochir (2011) 153:647–651. DOI 10.1007/s00701-010-0905-1

Many strategies have been developed with the aim of reducing external ventricular drain-related infections. Antibiotic-impregnated catheters are one of them.

Material and methods We report 648 cases of external ventricular drain from a total of 534 patients treated at the Virgen del Rocío Hospital between 1995 and 2006. Three subgroups were considered: group 1 included patients treated between 1995 and 2000, as well as a total of 190 external ventricular drains and 59 cases of infection (31.05%); group 2, with patients treated between 2000 and 2004 and managed with a minimal handling protocol, included 210 external ventricular drains and nine cases of infection (4.29%); and group 3, treated between 2004 and 2006, with 248 external ventricular drains and six cases of infection (2.41%). This latter subgroup included patients managed with a minimal handling protocol and antibiotic-impregnated catheters.

Results Infection rate was 17% when non-antibioticimpregnated catheters were employed and 2.41% when antibiotic-impregnated catheters were inserted (p<0.001). This difference was statistically significant before and after the introduction of a minimal handling protocol, with percentages of 5.31% and 3.27%, respectively (p<0.001; odds ratio 0.08; absolute risk reduction 27.26%). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in infection rate when the impact of a minimal handling protocol was considered: 4.29% when only the protocol was introduced and 2.41% when both the protocol and antibiotic-impregnated catheters were used (p>0.05).

Conclusion Minimal handling protocols constitute an essential strategy in the reduction of external ventricular drain-related infections. Besides that, the use of antibiotic-impregnated catheters may reduce infection-related hospital costs.

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