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Complications due to prolonged ventricular fluid pressure recording
G Sundbärg1, C H Nordström, S Söderström
1Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
British Journal of Neurosurgery
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Prolonged recording of ventricular fluid pressure (VFP) is safe, with low complication rates, especially in patients without hemorrhagic cerebrospinal fluid. Infections were treatable and did not impact survival.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Prolonged monitoring of ventricular fluid pressure (VFP) is crucial for managing elevated intracranial pressure.
- Assessing the safety and complication profile of VFP recording is essential for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze complications associated with prolonged VFP recording in a large patient cohort.
- To determine the incidence and nature of infections related to VFP monitoring.
Main Methods:
- A consecutive series of 648 patients undergoing prolonged VFP recording from 1982-1986 were analyzed.
- Complications, including infections and permanent deficits, were systematically registered and evaluated.
Main Results:
- No permanent deficits occurred, with one hemorrhagic complication noted.
- Infections occurred in 4.3% of survivors and 1.9% of non-survivors, primarily in patients with hemorrhagic cerebrospinal fluid requiring drainage.
- Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common pathogen; all infections were successfully treated and did not affect mortality.
Conclusions:
- VFP recording is associated with acceptably low complication rates in patients without hemorrhagic cerebrospinal fluid requiring long-term drainage.
- Infection risk is significantly higher in patients with hemorrhagic cerebrospinal fluid, but infections are treatable.
- Alternative methods for intracranial pressure monitoring may be needed for a small subset of patients.