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.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Dexamethasone for morbidity after subdural electrode insertion--a randomized controlled trial.
Invasive monitoring with subdural electrodes (SDE) for investigation of medically intractable epilepsy may be associated with undesirable immediate postoperative morbidity such as headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, and meningism. We undertook to evaluate the potential beneficial role of perioperative dexamethasone in reducing these symptoms. ⋯ Dexamethasone appears to have a role in reducing immediate morbidity following SDE insertion but its effect is not uniform in the postoperative period; it appears to be delayed in onset, and of limited duration. Further study is necessary to determine the ideal dosing schedule.