<unk>  placement is an invasive procedure. It is associated with several potential complications: Bleeding Bleeding can occur along the<unk>  insertion tract or in the several layers of the meninges that prohibit passage into the<unk> . If drilling or dural puncture is not successful, the surgeon may dissect away dura and create a secondary bleed known as an epidural or subdural hemorrhage. Bleeding from<unk>  placement can be life-threatening and can require neurosurgical intervention in some cases. The risk of hemorrhage with<unk>  placement is increased if the patient suffers from coagulopathy. Mechanical Mechanical complications from<unk>  placement can be categorized into: *Malplacement If the<unk>  is not placed with the tip of the catheter in the lateral or third ventricle, it is considered malplaced. If the catheter crosses critical<unk>  regions such as the internal capsule or the upper<unk> stem, malplacement can be symptomatic. *Obstruction Obstruction/occlusion of<unk>  commonly due to fibrinous/clot like material or kinking of the tube. The<unk>  can swell due to pressure build up in the ventricles and permanent<unk>  damage can occur. Physicians or nurses may have to adjust or flush these small diameter catheters to manage medical tube obstructions and occlusions at the intensive-care bedside. *Migration After<unk>  placement, the<unk>  is tunneled subcutaneously and secured with surgical sutures and/or surgical staples. However, it is possible for the<unk>  to dislodge or migrate. This will cause the tip of the<unk>  to migrate away from its intended position and provide inaccurate ICP measurement or lead to occlusion of the<unk> . Infection The<unk>  is a foreign body inserted into the<unk> , and as such it represents a potential portal for serious infection. Historically, the rate of infections associated with<unk> s has been very high, ranging from 5% to > 20%. Infections associated with<unk> s can progress to become a severe form of<unk>  infection known as ventriculitis. Protocols designed to reduce the rate of<unk>  infections have been successful, applying infection control 'bundle' approaches to reduce the rate of infection to well less than 1%. Neurological Although neurological deficits from passing the<unk>  catheter across the<unk>  are uncommon, there can be an association of a patient's poor neurological status with<unk>  malplacement. In one report, the<unk>  was inserted too deeply into the fourth ventricle; the authors hypothesized that the patient's coma was due to irritation of the recticular activating system. The patient's level of consciousness improved after the<unk>  was adjusted.
External ventricular drain
Ventriculostomy
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy
Cerebrospinal fluid diversion
Lumbar–peritoneal shunt
Craniotomy
Decompressive craniectomy
Ventriculotomy 