This surgery makes one or more small holes in your skull. It helps relieve excess pressure from a buildup of fluid or blood. If we don't relieve this pressure, it can damage your brain.
To begin, we numb your scalp. You may be given medicine to make you feel relaxed. Or, you may be put to sleep.
Now, we make a small incision in your scalp. Through this incision, we use a special drill to make one or more small holes in your skull. Beneath the skull is a layer of tissue (called the "dura") that covers the brain. We open the dura to let the excess fluid drain out. This reduces pressure inside your skull. Once the pressure is relieved, we may close the dura and scalp immediately. Or, we may need to put a temporary drain in this opening so the fluid can continue to drain. The drain will be removed later.
When the procedure is done, you're watched closely. Follow your care plan for a safe recovery.