Diagnostic Tests, Procedures, Equipment
Intracranial Pressure Monitoring (ICP) - Outpatient
HFFY#5462
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Intracranial Pressure Monitoring (ICP) - Outpatient
What is ICP?
ICP is used to measure pressure in the head
and decide treatment. Pressure is affected by
the amount of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in
the brain. The CSF cushions the brain and
spinal cord. If there is too much CSF, the
pressure (ICP) increases.
Symptoms of increased pressure include:
• Headache
• Feeling sleepy
• Decrease in appetite
• Vomiting
• Blurred or double vision
• Irritability
• “Sunset eyes” (eyes which only look
down)
How is the ICP monitor placed?
A surgery is done to place the ICP monitor.
A small hole is drilled into the skull. The
ICP sensing device is placed a short distance
next to the brain. A bandage keeps the
device in place. The pressure is watched and
recorded for 24 – 48 hours. You will stay in
the ICU during this time.
Before the Monitor is Placed
• You will have a physical exam and lab
tests that include blood work and
urinalysis.
• Schedule this exam with your primary
care provider or with a nurse in our
department.
• Complete this within 30 days of
surgery. We may cancel surgery
without an updated pre-op exam.
• Please contact your insurance
company for any needed referrals.
Stop these medicines for two weeks before
surgery:
• Aspirin, Excedrin®, Ascriptin®, and
Ecotrin®
• Vitamins and herbal supplements
• Plavix®
• Coumadin® or Warfarin,Ibuprofen,
Advil®, Motrin®Nuprin®, and Aleve®
It is alright to use acetaminophen (Tylenol®)
if needed.
No smoking or exposure to cigarette smoke
for two weeks prior to surgery. Smoking
delays wound healing. Cigarette smoke
contains a poison that lowers the level of
oxygen in the blood.
See the HFFY “getting your skin ready for
surgery” for pre-op bathing.
After midnight the night before surgery:
• Do not eat anything.
• Do not drink any milk or juice with
pulp.
• You may drink clear liquids up until
4 hours before surgery.
You will be called the afternoon before
surgery. At this time, you will be told
• What time you need to arrive at the
hospital.
• The final details about how to get
ready for the next day.
• You will need to sign a consent
form. The consent states that you
understand what was explained to
you about the procedure. It also
states that you know about the risks
and benefits of the surgery.
• Do not wear make-up, jewelry, or
nail polish to surgery.
• You will receive antibiotics while
the ICP monitor is in place.
After the Monitor is Placed
• Once you are awake you can eat and
move around your room.
• If you have pain, acetaminophen
(Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin®)
will be given.
• When the device is removed, one or
two staples or stitches are used to
close the incision.
• The staples or stitches will be
removed in 7-10 days in the clinic.
• Keep the incision clean and dry for 3
days.
• After three days, you may bathe and
wash your hair. Do not scrub over
the incision.
Phone Numbers
American Family Children’s Hospital clinic:
(608) 263-6420.
After hours, weekends, and holidays, call
the paging operator at (608) 262-0486. Ask
for the neurosurgeon on call. Give your
name and phone number with the area code.
The doctor will call you back.
If you live out of the area, call
1-800-323-8942
Your health care team may have given you this information as part of your care. If so, please use it and call if you
have any questions. If this information was not given to you as part of your care, please check with your doctor. This
is not medical advice. This is not to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Because each
person’s health needs are different, you should talk with your doctor or others on your health care team when using
this information. If you have an emergency, please call 911. Copyright © 2/2018. University of Wisconsin Hospitals
and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5462