Surgically treated traumatic subacute and chronic subdural haematomas: a review of 132 cases.

One hundred and thirty-two cases of surgically treated traumatic subacute and chronic subdural haematomas are reviewed. A high male to female ratio of 5:1 is noted. The age distribution and the clinical picture are comparable with the pattern in other reported studies. All patients were treated with simple burr holes and evacuation of blood without membranectomy, postoperative drainage or posturing. The results were excellent as 62 per cent made a good recovery, 33 per cent had mild disability, 4 per cent had severe disability and only 1 patient died. There were no recurrences. The simplicity of making burr holes recommends the method to more doctors, thereby extending the frontiers of treatment beyond the confines of neurosurgical centres.