Infected ventriculostomy: bacteriology and treatment.

During a period of 6 years 256 patients underwent ventriculostomy as their first operative procedure. Twenty-seven patients (11%) developed CSF-infections, in almost 90% caused by Gram-positive cocci compatible with normal skin flora. The incidence of infection was distributed evenly in the postoperative period. All patients received intravenous and intrathecal antibiotic treatment simultaneously according to the sensitivity test. The treatment was highly effective, and without serious adverse effects.