[Primary intracerebral hemorrhage. Retrospective study of 72 operated cases]

We analysed 72 cases of primary intracranial hemorrhage surgically treated from 1970 to 1999. The hemorrhages were diagnosed by computerized axial tomography in 52 patients. Most hematomas were situated in the cerebral hemispheres (30 percent in thalamus-basal ganglia region and 50 percent in the subcortical matter). There were 10 patients with cerebellar hemorrhage. Hypertension (based in blood pressure recordings in the hospital and history) was found in 24 patients (33 percent). The most frequent findings were coma, intracranial hypertension and hemimotor deficit. The death rate registered was 27.7 percent; however, it was found a significant difference in the mortality index when considering the 70-79 decade (62.7 percent) and the 90-99 decade (20.7 percent). A critical analysis was made about depth hematomas, consciousness state and intracranial hypertension with herniation related to surgical procedure.