title: Monoblock external ventricular drainage system in the treatment of patients with acute hydrocephalus: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infection is a major complication in patients undergoing external ventricular drainage (EVD). Our study aimed to evaluate the incidence of infection in a series with the monoblock EVD system.
  
  
  METHODS
  46 patients treated with EVD at our emergency department were analyzed prospectively to research the incidence of infections with a new EVD system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average rate of infection was 8.7%. When we stratified the patients according to the exclusive use of EVD without craniotomies, we identified a reduction in the overall incidence of ventriculitis from 8.7% to 2.3%. Age, etiology, and the presence of ventricular bleeding were not statistically significant risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the small sample examined in this study, we believe that the monoblock system is a simple, inexpensive device that reduces accidental disconnection of the system.
authors: Division of Neurological Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Almir Ferreira
authors: AF
authors: de Andrade
authors: Division of Neurological Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Wellingson Silva
authors: WS
authors: Paiva
authors: Division of Neurological Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Iuri Santana
authors: IS
authors: Neville
authors: Division of Neurological Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Gustavo Sousa
authors: GS
authors: Noleto
authors: Division of Neurological Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Aderaldo
authors: A
authors: Alves Junior
authors: Division of Neurological Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Luiz Henrique Dias
authors: LH
authors: Sandon
authors: Division of Neurological Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Edson
authors: E
authors: Bor-Seng-Shu
authors: Division of Neurological Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Robson Luis
authors: RL
authors: Amorim
authors: Division of Neurological Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Manoel Jacobsen
authors: MJ
authors: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D058565:Cerebral Ventriculitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000628:therapy*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies