Lumbar drainage catheters are typically narrower and longer than ventricular catheters. As with ventricular catheters, lumbar drainage catheters may have perforations in the proximal end. Antibiotic-impregnated lumbar drainage catheters are also available.

The drainage chamber is typically packaged separately from the connective tubing. The hermetically sealed system often has tubing with at least one 3-way port to facilitate sampling of spinal fluid. The drainage chambers often have a small Buretrol to allow for precise measurement of the volume of spinal fluid drained