How do you care for a lumbar drain?
Be sure to maintain the drain at the proper level, keeping the patient’s head, neck, and back in a neutral position. Keep the drain insertion site clean and dry; cover it with an occlusive dressing. A transparent dressing allows better assessment of the insertion site.
Where do you zero a lumbar drain?
Figure 1.01: Lumbar ICP/CSF pressure is zeroed to the iliac crest. The panel (left) must be positioned in an upright position, with the “0” reference point (E) at the level of the patient’s catheter.
What are two biggest risks of lumbar drains?
Major complications included spinal hematoma with paraplegia in 1 patient, intracranial hemorrhage in 2, meningitis in 2, arachnoiditis in 3, CSF leak requiring a blood patch in 3, bloody tap delaying the operation in 1, and a retained catheter tip in 1 patient.
How do you do lumbar drainage?
During the procedure Your healthcare provider cleans the insertion site and injects local anesthesia into the skin around the insertion site to numb it. He or she inserts a long, thin needle between the bones that make up the spine (the vertebrae) in your lower back. The needle guides the lumbar drain into place.
What happens when too much CSF is drained?
It is possible that the puncture of the ventricle or the opening of the dura will result in an intracranial hemorrhage. It is possible that if too much CSF is removed from the ventricles, either during a drainage procedure or when the ventricle is first punctured, the ventricle may collapse and occlude the catheter.
How does lumbar drain treat CSF leak?
Sometimes, after the lumbar drain is pulled out, fluid continues to leak from the small hole left by the tube. A simple stitch is placed in the skin to close the wound, and this can be removed in a week. Any improvement in symptoms that you may experience in the hospital will only last for a few days.
Where does a lumbar drain sit?
lumbar spine
A lumbar drain is a small flexible tube that is placed in the lumbar spine. The tube drains some of the cerebrospinal fluid that fills the ventricles of the brain and surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Can you measure ICP with lumbar drain?
Conclusions: Controlled CSF drainage using a lumbar drain can be used to monitor ICP when leveled at the foramen of Monro if EVD failure occurs perioperatively. The LD can temporarily guide ICP management until the EVD flow can be re-established after OLT.
Why would someone need a lumbar drain?
A lumbar drain is often needed to collect CSF from the spine after surgery or to reduce pressure in the spinal cord or brain. Too much pressure in the spinal cord can slow blood flow to the area and can lead to confusion and trouble thinking, pain, weakness, and even paralysis.
Why are lumbar drains placed?
Lumbar drainage (LD) can be utilized as a prophylactic measure and/or as a first-line treatment for CSF leakage following surgery. It can also prevent and/or treat CSF leaks and may preclude reexploration surgery.