title: Endoscopic evacuation of putaminal hemorrhage: how to improve the efficiency of hematoma evacuation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A unique method of evacuation of hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage (HPH) using a stainless steel tube as a corridor under the assistance of a rigid endoscope is described. A simplified method to determine the precise location for burr hole placement is also reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 2003 to April 2004, 9 patients with HPH underwent endoscopic surgery in our hospital. Two different entry sites (temporal and frontal) were used to approach the hematoma in our series.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hematoma evacuation rate was more than 90% (median 93%) with the frontal approach and 84% with the temporal approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a combination of a stainless steel tube, rigid endoscope, and coagulation suction with a frontal approach can facilitate optimal evacuation of HPH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China. andrewhsieh@giga.net.tw
authors.forename: Po-Chun
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Der-Yang
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Wen-Yuan
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jung-Tsung
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004322:Drainage; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020146:Putaminal Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome