[Single burr hole irrigation without drainage in chronic subdural hematoma]

The surgical treatment of chronic subdural hematoma has evolved from membranectomy through craniotomy to burr hole irrigation. The latter approach is based on utilization of the natural absorptive process that is thought to be part of the life cycle of the hematoma. To test this theory, the authors treated fifty-nine patients with chronic subdural hematoma according to the following protocol. Local anesthesia was induced with a modified neuroleptanalgesic procedure. A single burr hole was drilled, usually in the posterior frontal region, and irrigation was carried out until the washing was clear. Subdural drainage was not employed. Patients were permitted to walk about on the following day. The outcome was better than that achieved with conventional treatment. Such complications as tension pneumocephalus and intracranial hematoma were not observed, and only one patient (1.7%) had a recurrence. The results of this study indicate that single burr hole irrigation without drainage is a very simple and effective treatment for chronic subdural hematoma. The absence of subdural drainage may be an important feature, since drainage may contribute to the development of certain postoperative complications. Also, the simplified procedure allows patients early mobility, which may be of particular benefit to the elderly.