title: Flow-regulated external lumbar drain: applications and complications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A novel flow-regulated external drain (FRED) was devised to overcome the problems of the pressure-regulated systems and serial lumbar taps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients who underwent lumbar external drainage received a flow-regulated system using simple and inexpensive materials available in most hospital settings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The system proved to be reliable at removing a set amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We did not encounter any serious complications in its application.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FRED system offered better patient compliance and comfort, providing them with greater mobility, while maintaining a safer steady removal of a set amount of CSF. In opposition to the pressure-regulated systems, we describe the possible indications, advantages and disadvantages of a flow regulated device. Extensive clinical trials are needed to study the use of FRED in patients with different CSF circulation physiology, pressure and composition.
authors.affiliation: Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, Neurosurgical department of the University of Athens, D.Ralli str. 92-94, Piraeus, 18539, Greece, n_nanidis@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Nikitas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nanidis
authors.forename: Stefanos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Korfias
authors.forename: Damianos E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Sakas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid; D065634:Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000295:instrumentation*