The Risk Factors of External Ventricular Drainage-Related Infection at Hospital Kuala Lumpur: An Observational Study
- Author:
Mohamad Azhari Omar
;
Mohd Saffari Mohd Haspani
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
cerebrospinal fluid shunts, hydrocephalus, in-dwelling catheters, infection, neurosciences
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2010;17(3):48-54
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: External ventricular drainage (EVD) has been widely used for the purpose of
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL).
Method: This prospective observational study was conducted in HKL from December 2006
to December 2008 among patients who were subjected for EVD, following strict inclusion and
exclusion criteria.
Results: The frequency of EVD-related infection was as high as 32.2% (95% CI 23.3% to
42.57%) among 87 patients studied. This study clearly demonstrates that tunnelling the catheter for
more than 5 cm under the scalp, from the burr hole to the exit site of the skin, carried a significantly
lower risk of infection compared with tunnelling the catheter for 5 cm or less (OR = 0.184, 95% CI
0.083 to 0.406, P < 0.001). The majority of cases (19 out of 28) with EVD-related infection occurred
among patients catheterised for more than 10 days (OR = 0.334, 95% CI 0.171 to 0.652, P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The technique of subgaleal tunnelling of more than 5cm and the duration of the
ventricular catheterisation of 10 days and less should be implemented as standardised protocol at
health institutions to reduce the risk of EVD-related infections.
- Full text:W020151022499976284777.pdf
