Chronic subdural haematomas treated by enlarged burr-hole craniotomy and closed system drainage. Retrospective study of 120 patients.

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.