The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
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
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.