Fewer complications with bolt-connected than tunneled external ventricular drainage.
Ventriculostomy/external ventricular drain (EVD) is a common neurosurgical procedure. Various techniques are used to fixate the drain and the objective of this study was, in a retrospective setting, to compare the incidence of complications when using bolt-connected EVD (BC-EVD) versus tunneled EVD (T-EVD).



All patients subjected to an EVD performed through a new burr hole from 2009 through 2010 at two Depts. of Neurosurgery in Denmark (Odense and Aarhus) were retrospectively identified. Patient files were evaluated for EVD fixation technique (tunneled or bolt-connected EVD) and complications including unintended removal, catheter obstruction, infection, CSF leakage, and mechanical problems.



A total of 271 patients with 272 separate EVDs met the inclusion criteria. There was a statistically higher rate of complications leading to reinsertion in the tunneled EVD group (40 %), compared to the bolt-connected EVD group (6.5 %). There was no significant difference in infection rates.



Tunneled EVD has a relatively high frequency of complications leading to reinsertion. The use of Bolt-connected EVD technique can lower this frequency significantly. The number needed to treat is three for preventing a complication requiring reinsertion. Infection rates are low for both types of ventriculostomies. Accordingly, we recommend use of Bolt-connected EVDs in neurosurgical practice.
Department of Neurosurgery, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark. torbenslottjensen@hotmail.com.
Torben Slott
TS
Jensen
Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
Jakob Gram
JG
Carlsen
Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
Jens Christian
JC
Sørensen
Department of Neurosurgery, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark.|Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark.
Frantz Rom
FR
Poulsen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014207:Trephining / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
Bolt-connected EVD; Hydrocephalus; Intracranial pressure; Neurosurgical technique; Ventriculostomy