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External ventricular drains: is there a time limit in children?
Basem A Khalil1, Zaid Sarsam, Neil Buxton
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital, UK. Kba_bas@hotmail.com
Summary
External ventricular drains (EVDs) in children do not have a set time limit for use. EVDs can remain in place as long as clinically necessary, provided strict handling protocols are followed to prevent infection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- The duration of external ventricular drain (EVD) use in pediatric patients is a subject of ongoing debate.
- Concerns exist regarding potential infection risks associated with prolonged EVD placement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether a time limit exists for the safe use of external ventricular drains (EVDs) in children.
- To determine the relationship between EVD duration and the incidence of infection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 46 EVDs in 28 pediatric patients over a 4-year period.
- Review of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters including white cell counts, Gram stains, and culture results.
Main Results:
- No specific time limit was identified for EVD use in the studied pediatric population.
- Infection rates were not found to be directly correlated with the duration of EVD placement within the observed period.
Conclusions:
- External ventricular drains (EVDs) can be safely used in children for extended periods as clinically indicated.
- Adherence to strict protocols for handling EVDs is crucial for minimizing infection risks, regardless of duration.