# Superior accuracy of external ventricular drain placement using electromagnetic navigation compared to freehand insertion: A retrospective cohort study

## TL;DR

Using electromagnetic navigation improves the accuracy of placing external ventricular drains compared to traditional methods, especially in complex cases.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that electromagnetic navigation leads to more accurate EVD placements in challenging anatomical scenarios.

## Key findings

- EM-guidance significantly improves the accuracy of EVD placements compared to freehand insertion.
- EM-guidance is more frequently used in cases with smaller ventricular systems and midline shifts.
- EM-guidance is primarily used by less experienced neurosurgeons in training.

## Abstract

•EM-guidance significantly enhances the accuracy of EVD placements compared to freehand insertion.•EM-guidance was more frequently utilized in anatomically challenging cases characterized by significantly smaller ventricular systems and a higher frequency of midline shift.•EM-guidance was primarily used by less experienced neurosurgeons in training.•EM-guidance is recommended for routine neurosurgical practice, particularly in anatomically challenging cases.

EM-guidance significantly enhances the accuracy of EVD placements compared to freehand insertion.

EM-guidance was more frequently utilized in anatomically challenging cases characterized by significantly smaller ventricular systems and a higher frequency of midline shift.

EM-guidance was primarily used by less experienced neurosurgeons in training.

EM-guidance is recommended for routine neurosurgical practice, particularly in anatomically challenging cases.