New device to treat chronic subdural hematoma - hollow screw

Different surgical approaches exist for the treatment of chronic subdural h ematoma. None of these approaches is superior to the other, so a minimal-in vasive device (a hollow screw) was developed. The system consists of a stab le hollow screw of surgical steel with a perforated tip, a hand-drill, scre w driver with guide, and collection bag. To place the screw in the skull lo cal anesthesia is necessary followed by stab incision and percutaneous trep hination. The screw is then placed in the bone and the guide removed. After spontaneous drainage and irrigation, a closed drainage system with a colle ction bag is connected with the screw. First results with the new technolog y are promising, with a high rate of completely treated patients and a low rate of complications. Two of 86 patients had a local skin infection after implantation of the screw, and in 22 patients the procedure was repeated du e to one or more cases of recurrent or residual hematoma. No neurological d eterioration was caused by the screw or the surgical approach. The advantag es of this new system are: quick and simple procedure, minimal invasive, ex cellent function, inexpensive and reusable.