Recurrent sampling and ventriculostomy-associated infections: a case-control study.

Background: External ventricular drain (EVD) insertion is a common neurosurgical procedure with a significant risk of ventriculostomy-associated infections (VAIs), other morbidities and mortality. Several risk factors have been identified but their effect is unclear.

Objective: Our primary objective was to assess whether recurrent EVD sampling increased the risk of VAIs.