Validation of model-guided placement of external ventricular drains

Purpose Inaccurate placement of external ventricular drains
(EVDs) is a common issue in cerebrospinal diversion procedures.
The conventional freehand technique results in a high
fraction of sub-optimally placed catheters, and the use of
image guidance can improve these results. The purpose of
this paper is the validation of the use of an average model for
guidance of EVD procedures.
Methods Three neurosurgeons have tested the model-based
technique on three normal volunteers, and we have compared
the model-based technique to the freehand technique
and neuronavigation based on volunteer-specific images.
Results Our results show that the surgeons perform significantly
better when using the model-based technique than
when using the freehand technique.
Conclusions Our results suggest that the use of an average
model may improve the accuracy of catheter placements.
However, further refinement of the method and testing in a
clinical setting is required.