Treatment of chronic subdural haematoma with percutaneous needle trephination and open system drainage with repeated saline rinsing.

Fifty three patients with symptomatic chronic subdural haematomas were treated with single needle trephination followed by open system drainage with repeated saline rinsing for two days. After single trephination good outcome was achieved in 84% of the patients. Early recurrence was found in 11.3% of the cases. After a second needle trephination good outcome increased to 89%. Mortality rate was 4%. Long term follow up (mean 30 months) showed 6.7% recurrence rate. There were no complications. Single needle trephination with open system drainage and repeated rinsing is an effective and safe minimal invasive procedure for patients with chronic subdural haematomas.