Technique, indications, and complications of percutaneous needle puncture

One hundred and forty-five percutaneous needle punctures (PNP) of the brain and ventricles in 100 consecutive patients were retrospectively re-evaluated. This was to elucidate technical problems and complications of this method, which presents an alternative to the classical burr hole trephination with the insertion of a catheter. In 61% percutaneous needle trephinations (PNT) were performed, in 27% a pre-existing burr hole was used, and in 12% the open fontanelle. The method proved to be simple and effective, especially in emergency cases, and it had a very low rate of serious complications with 1.4% infections and 0.7% symptomatic bleedings, which had no permanent consequences.