[Ventricular fluid pressure measurement by microcatheter and pressure-controlled external fluid drainage (author's...

Long term control of ventricular fluid pressure by means of a ventricular catheter offers the advantage of pressure-controlled external fluid drainage, especially in patients with space-occupying processes which lead to acute disturbances of the fluid circulation. In a measuring system with the possibility of drainage it is advisable to measure the VFP with a microcatheter. The microcatheter is introduced through the drainage catheter. Both catheters are placed in the anterior part of a lateral ventricle. Communication between the drainage system and the transducer is avoided. There is no necessity for frequent disinfection or changing of parts of the system during long term control of the patient. Any occlusion of the drainage system can be recognized immediately because the measuring procedure will not be interrupted by such an occlusion. In 201 patients the ventricular fluid pressure was recorded by the microcatheter method for a total of 1086 days. The infection rate was under 1%. With simultaneous external fluid drainage it rose to 2.2%. For patients with space--occupying processes of the posterior cranial fossa external drainage is recommended for 5--10 days postoperatively as a precaution against rises in CSF pressure.