Single burr-hole craniostomy with closed-system suction drainage in treatment of chronic subdural hematomas
Chiang, Y.H.; Wang, Y.C.; Liu, M.Y.; Chuang, K.S.; Lin, S.Z.; Su, C.F.; Sun, M.J.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association 87(3): 317-322
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0371-7682 PMID: 3397728 Document Number: 316552
From August 1985 to December 1986, a series of 23 consecutive cases of chronic subdural hematoma, including 17 men and 6 women, were treated by a method of single burr-hole craniostomy with close-system suction drainage under local anesthesia at the Tri-Service General Hospital. The ages of the patients ranged from 35 to 88 years with a mean of 68 years. The initial diagnosis and postoperative follow-up were made by computed tomographic scanning in all cases. Twenty-three patients were treated successfully and one required craniotomy as a second operation. These patients were followed from 6 to 18 months with a mean period of 12 months. Recurrent subdural hematoma was noted in 1 of the 32 cases, an incidence of 3%. There was no mortality or significant morbidity associated with this procedure, and there were no infections. Our results confirm the curative effect, simplicity, safety and rapidity of this procedure, especially in chronically ill or old patients.