External Ventricular Drainage Complication Risks and Accuracy Analysis

Neuroendoscopy-Assisted Entire-Process Visualization Technique of Ventricular Puncture for External Ventricular Drainage

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the neuroendoscopy-assisted entire-process visualization technique (NEAEVT) of ventricular puncture for external ventricular drainage.

METHODS

Eighty-eight patients with cerebral hemorrhage who underwent unilateral ventricular puncture for external ventricular drainage in our hospital from June 2021 to June 2023 were analyzed. Patients were grouped according to puncture technique: NEAEVT (30 patients), freehand (30 patients), and laser-navigation-assisted (28 patients). Operation time, drainage tube placement, and catheter-related hemorrhage incidence were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Mean operation time significantly differed between the freehand, NEAEVT, and laser-assisted groups (17.07, 18.37, and 34.04 min, respectively; P <0.0001). The position of the drainage tube was optimal or adequate in all patients of the NEAEVT group; optimal/adequate positioning was achieved in 80% of the freehand group. No catheter-related hemorrhage occurred in the NEAEVT group. Three freehand group patients and 2 laser-assisted group patients experienced catheter-related hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

The NEAEVT of ventricular puncture is accurate and achieves ventricular drainage without significantly increasing surgical trauma, operation time, or incidence of hemorrhage.

Navigated bedside implantation of external ventricular drains with mobile health guidance: technical note and case series

PURPOSE

External ventricular drain (EVD) implantation is one of the fundamental procedures of emergency neurosurgery usually performed freehand at bedside or in the operating room using anatomical landmarks. However, this technique is frequently associated with malpositioning leading to complications or dysfunction. Here, we describe a novel navigated bedside EVD insertion technique, which is evaluated in a clinical case series with the aim of safety, accuracy, and efficiency in neurosurgical emergency settings.

METHODS

From 2021 to 2022, a mobile health-assisted navigation instrument (Thomale Guide, Christoph Miethke, Potsdam, Germany) was used alongside a battery-powered single-use drill (Phasor Health, Houston, USA) for bedside EVD placement in representative neurosurgical pathologies in emergency situations requiring ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) relief and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring.

RESULTS

In all 12 patients (8 female and 4 male), navigated bedside EVDs were placed around the foramen of Monro at the first ventriculostomy attempt. The most frequent indication was aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Mean operating time was 25.8 ± 15.0 min. None of the EVDs had to be revised due to malpositioning or dysfunction. Two EVDs were converted into a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Drainage volume was 41.3 ± 37.1 ml per day in mean. Mean length of stay of an EVD was 6.25 ± 2.8 days. Complications included one postoperative subdural hematoma and cerebrospinal fluid infection, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Combining a mobile health-assisted navigation instrument with a battery-powered drill and an appropriate ventricular catheter may enable and enhance safety, accuracy, and efficiency in bedside EVD implantation in various pathologies of emergency neurosurgery without adding relevant efforts.

Effects of modified external ventricular drainage vs. an Ommaya reservoir in the management of hydrocephalus with intracranial infection in pediatric patients

Background

Hydrocephalus with intracranial infection (HII) may cause pathological changes in brain tissue structure and irreversible damage to the nervous system. However, intracranial infection is a contraindication to ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt surgery, and the prognosis is improved by early infection control and intracranial pressure reduction. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the Ommaya reservoir vs. modified external ventricular drainage (M-EVD) in the management of HII in pediatric patients.

Methods

This retrospective controlled study included 45 pediatric patients with HII treated with an Ommaya reservoir (n = 24) or M-EVD (n = 21) between January 2018 and December 2022. Clinical outcomes, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test results, complications, and outcomes were compared between the Ommaya reservoir and M-EVD groups.

Results

No patient died during the follow-up period. The two groups were similar regarding age, sex, admission temperature, weight, preoperative serum protein and albumin concentrations, CSF analysis (white blood cell count, glucose concentration, and protein content), and clinical symptoms (P > 0.05). Both groups had significant changes in the CSF test results postoperatively compared with preoperatively (P < 0.05). In the M-EVD group, the median days for 13 children to remove the external drainage tube and receive VP shunt was 19 days. The longest drainage tube retention time was 61 days, and there was no intracranial infection or serious complication related to the drainage tube. After the placement of the Ommaya, the median time required for CSF to return to normal was 21 days, and a total of 15 patients underwent VP shunt surgery.

Conclusion

The Ommaya reservoir and M-EVD are safe and effective for pediatric patients with HII. Both methods reduce the intracranial pressure and alleviate the symptoms of hydrocephalus, although there are differences between the two methods.

External ventricular drains and risk of freehand placement: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

External ventricular drains (EVDs) are used to monitor and treat elevated intracranial pressure. EVDs are often placed blindly without the use of imaging guidance, and successful placement with respect to pass attempts and final catheter location may suffer as a result of this freehand technique.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases to identify studies pertaining to freehand EVD placement through March 30, 2022. Studies were included if they reported percentage of EVDs placed successfully on the first pass attempt, or final catheter location as defined by the Kakarla Grading System. Pooled weighted incidence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using a random effects model.

RESULTS

Of the 2964 results returned from the literature search, 39 studies were included in this meta-analysis. These studies reported on 6313 EVDs placed via freehand technique in 6070 patients with the following respective incidence: successful EVD placement on the first attempt (78%, 95%CI: 67-86%); placement with a Kakarla Grade of 1 (optimal location) (72%, 95%CI: 66-77%); hemorrhage (7%, 95%CI: 6-10%), and infection (5%, 95%CI: 3-8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Only 78% of EVDs in this meta-analysis were placed successfully on the first pass, and only 72% of final placements were deemed optimal. This represents a relatively high rate of suboptimal outcomes with respect to EVD placement, which could potentially be avoided with the use of navigation-assisted placement techniques.

External Ventricular Drainage: A Practical Guide for Neuro-Anesthesiologists

External ventricular drainage is often considered a life-saving treatment in acute hydrocephalus. Given the large number of discussion points, the ideal management of EVD has not been completely clarified. The objective of this study was to review the most relevant scientific evidence about the management of EVD in its main clinical scenarios. We reviewed the most recent and relevant articles about indications, timing, management, and complications of EVD in neurocritical care, with particular interest in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) using the following keywords alone or matching with one another: intracranial pressure, subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, intraventricular hemorrhage, external ventricular drainage, cerebrospinal shunt, intracranial pressure monitoring, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt. In the management of EVD in SAH, the intermittent drainage strategy is burdened with an elevated risk of complications (e.g., clogged catheter, hemorrhage, and need for replacement). There seems to be more ventriculoperitoneal shunt dependency in rapid weaning approach-managed patients than in those treated with the gradual weaning approach. Although there is no evidence in favor of either strategy, it is conventionally accepted to adopt a continuous drainage approach in TBI patients. Less scientific evidence is available in the literature regarding the management of EVD in patients with severe TBI and intraparenchymal/intraventricular hemorrhage. EVD placement is a necessary treatment in several clinical scenarios. However, further randomized clinical trials are needed to clarify precisely how EVD should be managed in different clinical scenarios.

[Surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms in acute period of hemorrhage in Hunt-Hess grade IV-V patients at Burdenko Neurosurgical Center between 2006 and 2020]

BACKGROUND

Management of patients in acute period of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage Hunt-Hess grade IV-V is still a complex and unsolved problem, especially regarding surgical treatment and various complications.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing surgery in acute period of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage Hunt-Hess grade IV-V between 2006 and 2020, as well as to assess various factors influencing treatment outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analyzed 163 patients who underwent surgery within 21 days after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage Hunt-Hess grade IV-V. All patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the period: 2006-2011 (group 1) and 2012-2020 (group 2).

RESULTS

Mortality reduced from 28.6% in group 1 to 8.3% in group 2. At the same time, incidence of vegetative state (GOS grade 2) increased from 4.8% to 17.4%. Incidence of outcomes GOS grade 3 - 5 was similar.

CONCLUSION

Large or giant aneurysm, repeated preoperative subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraoperative aneurysm rupture and prolonged temporary clipping can impair postoperative outcomes in patients with hemorrhage Hunt-Hess grade IV-V. External ventricular drainage, intraarterial injection of verapamil, intracisternal administration of calcium channel blockers and active surgical tactics improve postoperative outcomes and reduce mortality.

Mechanical Complications of External Ventricular and Lumbar Drains

BACKGROUND

External ventricular drain (EVD) and lumbar drain insertion are 2 of the most commonly performed neurosurgical procedures worldwide for acute hydrocephalus. Mechanical complications, such as obstruction or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, are often seen and may contribute toward significant patient morbidity. Different CSF drainage methods are advocated to reduce the incidence of complications, but evidence regarding comparative effectiveness is limited.

METHODS

In this single-center prospective cohort study, the incidence of mechanical complications and associated interventional factors, including choice of drain, collecting system, and location, were studied in patients requiring CSF diversion for acute hydrocephalus. Univariate analyses were performed to explore trends within the data, followed by a repeated-measures mixed-effects regression to determine the independent influence of drain device on mechanical failure.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients required CSF diversion between January 2020 and March 2021, via 3 different drain types (lumbar drain, tunneled, and bolted EVD) and 2 collection systems (LiquoGuard 7 and AccuDrain), performed in either theater or intensive care. Twenty-one patients (39%) experienced a mechanical complication, with blockage being the most common. Multivariate analyses showed that bolted EVDs (odds ratio, 0.08; confidence interval, 0.01-0.58) and LiquoGuards (OR, 0.23; CI, 0.08-0.69) were significantly associated with fewer mechanical complications compared with tunneled EVDs and gravity-based collection systems, respectively (P ≤ 0.01).

DISCUSSION

Drain device has an influence on the occurrence of EVD-related complications. These preliminary findings suggest that choosing bolted EVDs and motor-assisted drainage can reduce drain-associated mechanical failure. A randomized controlled trial comparing drain devices is required to confirm these findings.

Pilot Study of Neurologic Pupil Index as A Predictor of External Ventricular Drain Clamp Trial Failure After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

External ventricular drains (EVDs) provide a temporary egress for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with symptomatic hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Before EVD removal, a wean trial, which involves clamping the EVD, is typically attempted to ensure that CSF self-regulation is achieved. Automated infrared pupillometry (AIP) has been shown to detect early neurologic decline. We sought to explore the use of AIP to detect early EVD clamping trial failure.

METHODS

This prospective observational pilot study enrolled aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients before an EVD clamp trial. On initiating the clamp trial, nurses included hourly AIP assessment in documentation. Clamp trial outcome was based on neurologic examination and neuroimaging. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) models were constructed to explore computed tomography (CT) versus AIP as predictors of clamp trial outcome.

RESULTS

Among the 30 subjects enrolled, there were 38 clamping trials and 22 successful EVD removals. CT scan as a predictor of clamp trial was found to have a sensitivity of 68.8% and specificity of 89.5% (PPV = 84.6%, NPV = 77.3%). AIP assessment as a predictor of wean trial outcome was found to have a sensitivity of 58.3% and specificity of 100% (PPV = 100%, NPV = 63.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The pilot study data support that Neurological Pupil index <3 is a potential indicator of early clamp trial failure, but a CT scan has a higher sensitivity and NPV for predicting successful EVD removal. This finding suggests the benefits of including AIP assessments during clamping trials.

Analysis of a Novel Entry Point for Freehand Ventriculostomy Using Computerized Tomography Scans

Background

External ventricular drain (EVD) placement is one of the most common procedures in neurosurgery. Neurosurgeons generally prefer to access the ventricles via Kocher’s point since it is the most common point of entry to this area; however, this point is used to describe different anatomic landmarks and is not well-defined.

Objective

The present study aims to describe and provide an anatomical assessment of a novel ventriculostomy access point developed by the authors using computerized tomography (CT) scans performed on 100 patients.

Materials and methods

Data were collected from 100 randomly selected patients with normal ventricular anatomy found on their 1.0 mm-slice CT scans performed at the Burdenko Neurosurgical Center from March 2019 to June 2021. The CT inclusion criteria were: CT slices < or = to 1 mm and absence of brain herniation. Patients with brain mass lesions, severe brain edema, and pneumocephalus were excluded. Age, gender, and ventricular size were not exclusion criteria.

Results

The mean patient age was 43.58 years (range 4-73), with 50 men and 50 women. The mean Evan’s index was 25.7 % (SD=4.38 %, range 10.2-41.0 %). No differences were found between the angles of EVD placement on either side (89.50±1.22 degrees on the right and 89.60±1.14 degrees on the left). Hence, nearly all EVD cases had been placed perpendicularly to the skull surface at a pinpoint location.

Conclusion

The proposed point of successful ventriculostomy placement in this study was 3 cm from the bregma along the coronal suture. The angle of EVD placement was approximately 90 degrees in almost all patients and was independent of the patient’s age and the side of the head that was entered. Little correlation was found between the value of the entry angle and Evan’s index. The point is simply identifiable, and its entry is easily accessible in practice.