Mounting device for external cerebrospinal fluid drainage: the Freiburg Stativ

Abstract

Background: External drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is one of the most common neurosurgical procedures. It is important to maintain a stable drainage rate, but with the commonly available mountings for CSF drainage this can be difficult to achieve. The drainage rate is dependent on the height-difference between the CSF space and the drip chamber of the device. Most mountings for open CSF drainage cannot be satisfactorily fixed at the bed of the patient; especially if the head of the bed is moved, there is a risk of over- or underdrainage.

Materials and methods: We have therefore constructed a mounting for open CSF drainage which allows appropriate adjustment of the rate of CSF outflow, even if the patient's head part of the bed is moved.

Findings: The device was easily mountable or exchangeable at any hospital bed and served equally well for ventricular or for lumbar drainage.

Conclusion: We think that this device can help to reduce serious complication of over- or underdrainage in external CSF drainage.