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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2015; 76(05): 415-417
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1396435
Technical Note
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Nelaton Catheter Guard for Safe and Effective Placement of Subdural Drain for Two-Burr-Hole Trephination in Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Technical Note

Jens Fichtner
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Inselspital Bern University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
Jürgen Beck
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Inselspital Bern University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
A. Raabe
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Inselspital Bern University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
Lennart Henning Stieglitz
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Zurich University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

11 August 2013

15 September 2014

Publication Date:
16 January 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Background For chronic subdural hematoma, placement of a Blake drain with a two-burr-hole craniotomy is often preferred. However, the placement of such drains carries the risk of penetrating the brain surface or damaging superficial venous structures.

Objective To describe the use of a Nelaton catheter for the placement of a subdural drain in two-burr-hole trephination for chronic subdural hematoma.

Method A Nelaton catheter was used to guide placement of a Blake drain into the subdural hematoma cavity and provide irrigation of the hematoma cavity. With the two-burr-hole method, the Nelaton catheter could be removed easily via the frontal burr hole after the Blake drain was in place.

Results We used the Nelaton catheters in many surgical procedures and found it a safe and easy technique. This method allows the surgeon to safely direct the catheter into the correct position in the subdural space.

Conclusions This tool has two advantages. First, the use of a small and flexible Nelaton catheter is a safe method for irrigation of a chronic subdural hematoma cavity. Second, in comparison with insertion of subdural drainage alone through a burr hole, the placement of the Nelaton catheter in subdural space is easier and the risk of damaging relevant structures such as cortical tissue or bridging veins is lower. Thus this technique may help to avoid complications when placing a subdural drain.

Keywords

cerebral catheterization - chronic subdural hematoma - subdural drain
 

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