PERCUTANEOUS BURRHOLE TREPHINATION OF THE SKULL - A STUDY OF 519 CASES

We want to report on our experiences with the percutaneous trephinatio n using a 2.35 mm round dental drill with serrated saws around it, a ' 'Rosenbohrer''. It is a methodically similar activity as described by J. ZENTNER [11]. From 1981 to 1992 519 patients were treated and 546 t rephinations were performed. At the beginning this treatment was only used in connection with intracerebral bleedings and biopsies. In a con siderable short time the indication could be extended to the subdural hematoma, tumor cyst, obstructive hydrocephalus as well as to the absc ess and the subdural epyema. The rate of infection was 1.28% and the r isk of bleeding 0.36%. In our opinion the advantages of this small ele ctrical trephination are the easy handling, the universal use and mobi lity and the avoidable risk of anesthesia as well as the sterilisation at the same time and the stopping of blood, caused by the contact sur face friction.