CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Burr holes for chronic subdural haematoma
SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR HEAD INJURIES
A minimally-invasive technique to drain fluid such as blood trapped between the skull and the surface of the brain.
What us a subdural haematoma?
If you sustain a head injury, you may develop a subdural haematoma. This occurs when a blood vessel is damaged and blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain.
The build-up of the blood pushes against the skull and can, if left untreated, press down on the brain.
Burr hole surgery and craniotomy are the procedures most commonly used to treat the condition.
Need to know
Burr holes are more commonly used to treat clients who experience a subdural haematoma days or weeks after sustaining a head injury.
One or more small holes will be drilled into the skull during the procedure, and a tiny, flexible tube will be inserted to drain the haematoma, removing the pressure between skull and brain.
Sometimes the tube will be left in place for a few days to continue to drain any blood or fluid build-up and reduce the chances of the haematoma returning.
Your consultant will make sure that you are well supported before undergoing burr hole surgery.
The procedure may take place under either local anaesthetic, where you will be awake but will not feel any pain, or under general anaesthetic, when you will be asleep throughout the procedure.
As with all surgery, there are some risks involved with this procedure and your consultant will discuss the risks with you before the procedure and answer any questions you may have.
After the surgery, you will be looked after by your specialist HCA UK team. You may be well enough to return home after a few days, but recovery rates differ from one person to the next.
You may need additional treatments before resuming normal activities.
Our Burr holes for chronic subdural haematoma locations
Devonshire Diagnostic Centre
13-19 Devonshire Street Marylebone W1G 7AF London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
Patient stories
Hear from past patients about their experience
Alan's story
Despite years of experiencing heart problems that just wouldn’t go away, Alan was apprehensive about having a surgical procedure. But with the expertise of his consultant and the latest cardiac technology, he decided to go ahead.
Andrew's story
“I couldn’t move my legs at all, and my arms only partially. But now I can walk six miles. I wouldn’t have got that without the physio team at The Christie Private Care, I simply wouldn’t have.”
How a second opinion helped uncover a hidden cardiac problem
Former Olympic swimmer, Adrian, was used to prioritising his physical wellbeing and continued to exercise regularly, keeping him in good health into his 60s. But when he got out of the pool one day, he noticed that something wasn’t right.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.