[Infective complications of external ventricular shunts]

Since the sixties at our Department of Neurosurgery, we use an original method for external ventricular shunts. To verify the effectiveness for reduction of infections risks the Authors have retrospectively analyzed 95 patients: only 4 cases of meningitis have been observed. The Authors consider the utility of the proper method and the importance of the duration of ventriculostomy placement.