Vegetative state The condition of patients who are unconscious and unaware of their surroundings but who may have a sleep-wake cycle, periods of alertness, and periodically open eyes, unlike coma patients, and may move and show reflexes. Many patients recover from this state within a few weeks, but some will remain in a persistent vegetative state. It can result in diffuse injury to the cerebral hemispheres without damage to the lower brain and brainstem.

Ventriculostomy Procedure to drain cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to reduce intracranial pressure (mannitol and barbiturates are pharmaceutical alternatives).