Risk factors associated with postcraniotomy meningitis.

Objective: The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine the incidence, bacteriological features, and risk factors for postcraniotomy meningitis.

Methods: Patients older than 18 years who underwent nonstereotactic craniotomies between January 1996 and March 2000 and who survived for more than 7 days were included. Operations for placement of burr holes and shunts were excluded.