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Burr hole is not burr hole: technical considerations to the evacuation of chronic subdural hematomas

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Abstract

Background

The organization of a multicenter survey about chronic subdural hematomas has triggered the discussion on different surgical techniques of burr hole evacuation. Such a standard operation gives neurosurgeons plenty of scope for creating their own way.

Methods

The procedure presented is one burr hole with a closed drainage system. In detail, each single step is enrolled: the planning of the burr hole, positioning, direction of skin incision, opening of the dura, drain positioning, channeling through the galea, and postoperative care.

Conclusions

We present a thorough summary that could serve as a common standard and as a basis for comparison of future trials.

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Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Christian Doppler Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University, Ignaz Harrer Str. 79, 5020, Salzburg, Austria

    Stephan Emich, Manfred Dollenz & Peter A. Winkler

Authors
  1. Stephan Emich
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  2. Manfred Dollenz
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  3. Peter A. Winkler
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephan Emich.

Electronic supplementary material

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This video shows the surgery for the evacuation of a chronic subdural hematoma. By performing one burr hole with a closed drainage system, a standardized procedure is proposed. Each single step highlighted in the article is presented. (MPG 23158 kb)

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Emich, S., Dollenz, M. & Winkler, P.A. Burr hole is not burr hole: technical considerations to the evacuation of chronic subdural hematomas. Acta Neurochir 157, 497–499 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-014-2327-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-014-2327-y

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