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StatPearls, LLC

  • Catheters
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Intracranial Hypertension
  • Neuronavigation
  • Ventriculostomy

Ventriculostomy

Ventriculostomy is a common and life-saving neurosurgical procedure used to manage acute hydrocephalus, monitor intracranial pressure, and treat complications such as shunt infections or obstructions. The technique involves placing a catheter into the cerebral ventricles to drain cerebrospinal fluid, relieving elevated intracranial pressure and preventing further neurologic compromise. Advances in image-guided and neuronavigation-assisted techniques have improved accuracy and safety, yet ventriculostomy remains associated with significant risks, including ventriculitis, hemorrhage, malposition, obstruction, and overdrainage. Clinical success depends on precise catheter placement, adherence to aseptic technique, and vigilant postoperative monitoring. Despite procedural standardization, outcome variability persists due to inconsistent protocol adherence, inadequate infection prevention measures, and differences in interprofessional communication. Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach involving neurosurgeons, critical care clinicians, nurses, and infection prevention specialists to ensure patient safety and optimize neurological recovery. This course teaches clinicians comprehensive knowledge of ventriculostomy indications, contraindications, procedural techniques, and evidence-based management strategies. Learners develop competence in selecting appropriate entry sites, applying neuronavigation tools, and implementing standardized care bundles to reduce complications. Emphasis is placed on sterile technique, consistent intracranial pressure monitoring, and prompt recognition of catheter-related issues. The course reinforces the value of interprofessional collaboration, as coordinated efforts among neurosurgery, nursing, infectious disease, and critical care teams enhance early detection of complications, improve communication, and support timely interventions. By integrating evidence-based protocols and collaborative care practices, clinicians…

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1 creditAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1 creditNursingUp to 1 creditPharmacyUp to 1 credit

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 1 pointABPATH — Lifelong LearningUp to 1 pointABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 1 pointABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 1 pointABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 1 pointABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1 pointABP — Lifelong Learning and Self-AssessmentUp to 1 pointABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1 point

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 8 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 1 credit
  • MOC · Up to 1 point
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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