title: Chronic subdural haematomas treated by enlarged burr-hole craniotomy and closed system drainage. Retrospective study of 120 patients.
abstract: In a retrospective study 143 chronic subdural haematomas in 120 patients were analysed. 64% of patients were 60 years or older. All haematomas were operated on by slightly enlarged burr-hole craniotomy and closed system drainage for three days postoperatively. A history of trauma was present in 63%. Most frequent symptoms in the older patients were mental changes and impaired consciousness. Postoperative mortality (within one month after surgery) was 4%. After a follow-up period of up to 2.5 years after surgery, 69% were neurologically normal, 20% had only minor complaints or slight deficits. Postoperative CT scans showed a gradual re-expansion of the compressed brain during the 2-3 weeks following haematoma removal.
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed