Can J Neurol Sci
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Infection rates in standard vs. hydrogel coated ventricular catheters.
Infection related to external ventricular drain (EVD) use is a common neurosurgical complication. Modified catheters with a hydrophilic surface may impede bacterial adherence and thereby reduce catheter related cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection. ⋯ Infection remains a common hazard in the use of EVD, and we found no reduction of infection using the hydrogel-coated catheters when presoaked in low concentration bacitracin solution.