title: Successful drainage of an extradural abscess in 1667: Prince Rupert's trephination.
abstract: The technique of the successful drainage of Prince Rupert's extradural abscess in 1667 has been reconstructed by putting together the details from several contemporary documents. The operation is shown to be a rational and well planned procedure in the context of the times, and not the lucky outcome of a desperate desire to try something dramatic.
authors.affiliation: Wellington Hospital, New Zealand.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000266:history / Q000601:surgery*; D004739:England; D049670:History, 17th Century; D006801:Humans; D014207:Trephining / Q000266:history*