External ventricular drainage ( EVD ) is a common treatment method in neurosurgery. EVD-associated infections are severe complications of EVD catheterization. How to optimize catheterization and postoperative management to reduce EVD-associated infections remains a difficult clinical issue. In this article, the pathogenesis of EVD-associated infection, preoperative preparation and surgical process of EVD, fixation and maintenance of drainage tubes, nursing, preventive use of antibiotics, and disease status of patients are expounded, so as to provide reference for better reducing EVD-associated infections.