[Expert consensus on external cerebrospinal fluid drainage management in neurocritical care patients (2026 edition)].

Extracerebral cerebrospinal fluid drainage is a commonly used treatment in the management of neurosurgical intensive care patients, primarily including external ventricular drainage (EVD) and lumbar cistern drainage (LD). To further standardize the clinical application and management of extracerebral cerebrospinal fluid drainage in neurosurgical intensive care patients, Chinese Society of Neurosurgery and China Neurocritical Care Management Collaborative Group organized experts in the field to update and revise the Chinese expert consensus on external cerebrospinal fluid drainage in neurosurgery (2018 edition) based on the latest evidence-based medical evidence. This consensus systematically reviews domestic and international literature, covering the indications for EVD and LD, the management of drainage procedures, and the handling of complications. Through two rounds of Delphi method expert evaluations, 24 recommendations were ultimately formulated to provide scientific and standardized guidance for clinical practice, enhancing the safety and efficacy of extracerebral cerebrospinal fluid drainage.