Ventriculostomy procedures involve insertion of a temporary shunt to the outside (into a sterile chamber), for drainage of fluid. Eventually, these may require conversion to ventricular shunts (see above). Ventriculostomy procedures allow drainage to relieve pressure by removing fluid; this fluid is available for testing as well. Most ventriculostomy procedures are done at the bedside, under local anesthetic, in about 15-20 minutes. A similar method, used for chemotherapy or antibiotics, involves attachment of an Ommaya reservoir (a plastic pouch under the skin, attached to a ventriculostomy catheter) that allows infusion of chemotherapy or antibiotics.

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