The Surgery of the Skull and BrainRawling, Louis Bathe
Science
The Surgery of the Skull and Brain
Rawling, Louis Bathe
Brain -- Surgery; Skull -- Surgery
=Operation.= The baby would be well wrapped up and, after shaving and
cleansing of the scalp, the scalp-tourniquet applied. Babies stand these
operations exceedingly well so long as hæmorrhage is but slight. A
scalp-flap is turned down and a small trephine (¹⁄₂-inch diameter)
applied immediately to one side of the depression, the trephine circle
including the outer margin of the depressed area. The dura is stripped
away and a flat periosteal elevator introduced so that its apex
corresponds to the apex of the depression. An attempt is then made to
lever the depressed area in the outward direction. If that result be
attained, well and good. The flap is replaced and dressings applied. In
many cases, however, the elevated region promptly assumes its original
depressed position as soon as the elevator is removed, and, in other
cases, all attempts at rectification of the deformity are of no avail.
Under these circumstances, it is advisable to carry out the method
advocated by Nicholl--adopted in the case described above--the whole of
the depressed area being cut out with blunt-pointed scissors, reduced to
a more normal curvature by manipulation between layers of gauze, and
replaced in the inverted position, the original dural surface becoming
now external. This inversion is requisite, as it is usually quite
impossible--even under considerable pressure--to reduce the depression
to a permanently satisfactory degree.
Nicholl reports on 23 cases, the ages of the patients varying from 3
weeks to 8 years. The first 13 cases were treated by elevation. The
results obtained were most unsatisfactory, complete reduction of the
deformity seldom being attained, whilst recurrence, of a greater or
lesser degree, was the rule.
In the last 10 cases the inversion method was carried out, with, in all
cases, satisfactory results. Bony union was present in 10 days.
Four cases of depressed birth-fractures have come under my own care. In
two cases the depression was elevated--in both cases with considerable
difficulty--whilst in the other two cases, after failure of leverage,
Nicholl’s method was carried out, in both cases with eminently
satisfactory results.
(_b_) =Fissured fractures.= Fissured fractures are especially prone to
involve the parietal bone, and, in their direction, to follow the lines
of ossification. Thus, in the case of the parietal bone, the fissures
will radiate from the parietal prominence. There is also a certain
tendency for the fracture to remain limited to the particular bone
affected.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account