What are the potential side effects?
A ventriculostomy system is an effective therapy for hydrocephalus, but its presence does present some risk for complications.
Briefly: If the ventriculostomy drainage system is not kept at the appropriate level, the patient may have new bleeding within the skull or the system may not drain out enough CSF to be effective
In Detail: Because the brain is fragile, any sudden changes in brain size or position can tear the blood vessels between the brain and skull. This is similar to a balloon filled with water and positioned within a jar. As the liquid is drawn out, the balloon shrinks in size, pulling away from the wall of the jar.
The faster the fluid leaves, the quicker the size changes. If the patient's head rises significantly above the level of the drainage system (for example, the patient sits up or stands abruptly), the speed of the CSF outflow increases and the size of the ventricle may shrink drastically
This shrinkage may tug the brain downward, tearing the blood vessels surrounding it. The leaking blood from these torn vessels can quickly build up between skull and brain. This bleeding may itself become a source of increased pressure within the skull and increase the risk for brain damage.
Another problem may occur if the patient slides down in bed, settling lower than the drainage system. If the CSF has to flow further uphill, the amount of effective drainage may be reduced; and reduced drainage means the therapy will be far less effective.