Use of antibiotics with external ventriculostomies

Abstract

✓ A review of 102 external ventriculostomies in 70 patients is reported. Forty-four patients received prophylatic antibiotics and 26 did not. The infection rate was significantly lower in the treated group, and the shunts could be left in place longer. Prophylactic antibiotics are advocated for patients in whom an external ventriculostomy is to be left in place for 3 days or more.