Bolt-connected silver-coated external ventricular drains have a lower risk of infection compared with tunneled antibiotic-impregnated catheters.

Background: This study aims to compare the risk of ventriculostomy-related infection (VRI) according to the type of catheter:silver-coated bolt-connected external ventricular drain (EVD) and tunneled antibiotic-impregnated catheter to determine which type of catheter is superior. Methods: Prospective single-center cohort study. All patients who underwent EVD placement between January 2022 and August 2024 were included. Infection was the outcome analyzed. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the hazard ratio, adjusting for possible confounding covariables.