Long-term external drainage for subdural collections in infants

The treatment of subdural collections in infants remains controversial. In order to evaluate the treatment guidelines that we developed on the basis o f our earlier experience, we have reviewed the results obtained in 31 conse cutive infants with symptomatic chronic and subacute subdural collections t reated with external drainage. Using our guidelines for removal of the drai ns, there was only a very low rate of permanent shunting (4/31), with a low complication rate and good clinical results. However, the long period of e xternal drainage, and therefore of hospitalization, might make if general a pplication of these guidelines problematic.