Opening of the ventricular system--a potential peroperative complication of total brain abscess extirpation

Total extirpation of a brain abscess runs the risk of opening the ventricular system and of its contamination. Three case reports are described with this peroperative complication. All of them healed. Stress is laid on postoperative care calling for the application of antibiotics through lumbar puncture or directly into the cerebral ventricles.