[Craniotomy; a ,much-alive tradition with the Kisii (Kenya)]

From 1981 until 1986 the authors witnessed traditional craniotomies being performed in the Kisii tribe in South West Kenya. The indication is the prevention or reduction of headache after trauma capitis. The frequency of the operation is estimated at 1 per 1000 persons a year. The aim is to remove part of the skull around the 'traumatic burst'. After shaving off the hair, the 'omobari omotwe' ('surgeon of the head') makes an incision at the place of the trauma or the headache. The bleeding is stopped with crushed leaves. With primitive instruments the bone is scraped away until the dura mater is reached, which is left untouched very carefully. The operation is carried out without anaesthesia, takes an average of 45 min and is sometimes completed by putting fat on the wound. A postoperative recovery period of 6-12 weeks is usual. The operation is highly regarded and seems to have few complications. Reoperations are frequent: one patient underwent the operation 26 times.