The management of obstructive hydrocephalus by the use of external continuous ventricular drainage.

External continuous ventricular drainage (CVD) in patients suffering from obstructive hydrocephalus is being used in many neurosurgical centers as a routine procedure for the temporary relief of intracranial pressure. The results of this treatment have been insufficiently evaluated. In the present study two groups of patients were investigated. In one, CVD was never used. In the other one it was used in all cases. It was found that the use of CVD decreased mortality rate most significantly. It is recommended that CVD should be used as a temporary measure for the treatment of the increased intracranial pressure in patients suffering from obstructive hydrocephalus.