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Stopping CSF leaks at external ventricular drain exit sites: a technical note

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Abstract

Purpose

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a major risk factor for external ventricular drain infection. Here, we present a surgical technique to reduce the possibility of CSF leak at the external ventricular drain (EVD) exit site in high-risk patients.

Methods

Vertical mattress sutures are placed circumferentially around the EVD catheter tract as it passes under the skin, so to close off the tract along which CSF may travel toward the exit site.

Results

Specific case examples are discussed where the introduction of this technique was found to be helpful in stopping exit-site CSF leak.

Conclusion

In our experience, these surgical steps are useful adjuncts that should be considered in all high-risk patients undergoing EVD placement.

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Funding

JT received funding from the Wellcome Trust (United Kingdom).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Hospital for Sick Children, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Jignesh K. Tailor & Abhaya V. Kulkarni

  2. The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada

    Abhaya V. Kulkarni

Authors
  1. Jignesh K. Tailor
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  2. Abhaya V. Kulkarni
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abhaya V. Kulkarni.

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Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethics approval

This is a case study with informed consent obtained by parent of all patients being reported on. The Research Ethics Committee has confirmed that no ethical approval is required for case studies in which patient and/or parent consent has been obtained.

Consent to participate

Informed consent was obtained from the legal guardian of all patients included in this report.

Consent for publication

Informed consent for publication was obtained from the legal guardian of all patients included in this report.

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Tailor, J.K., Kulkarni, A.V. Stopping CSF leaks at external ventricular drain exit sites: a technical note. Childs Nerv Syst 36, 2841–2844 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04632-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04632-4

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