Study designs of evaluations included in the review
The following design criteria were used for inclusion: a prospective randomisation of patients, a blinding procedure and non-treated controls. Both studies that were included were randomised placebo-controlled trials.
Specific interventions included in the review
Trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole prophylaxis with an average duration of monitoring of 24 hours in one study, and nafcillin prophylaxis with ventriculostomies which were in place for an average of 5.2 days in the other study. The control in both studies was placebo.
Participants included in the review
Patients undergoing EVD for normal-pressure hydrocephalus, and patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, tumours and trauma as indications for monitoring ICP
Outcomes assessed in the review
The number of cases of wound or intracranial infections.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Three investigators, who were blinded to the authors, institutions, journal, year of publication, the abstract, the results and the conclusion of the articles, reviewed the articles. Agreement among the investigators was 100%.