Table 1 MEDLINE and EMBASE search strategy

1.

exp Ventriculostomy/

2.

(external adj25 ventricular).tw.

3.

(ventricular drain or ventricular catheter).tw.

4.

exp Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts/ or exp Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt/

5.

or/1-4

6.

exp Postoperative Complications/ or exp Surgical Wound Infection/ or exp Bacterial Infections/

7.

exp Antibiotic Prophylaxis/

8.

exp Cerebral Ventriculitis/ or exp Meningitis/

9.

ventriculitis.tw.

10.

(cerebrospinal adj25 infection).tw.

11.

or/6-10

12.

5 and 10