Optimizing Burr Hole Placement for Craniotomy: A Technical Note

Objective Usually, burr holes are placed along the line of a craniotomy. We describe a novel technique of burr hole placement to obtain smooth and beveled bony margin without any troughs and crests. Dural separation is obtained by minimizing the number of burr holes required. Methods Fifty craniotomies of diameter ranging from 3.5 to 11.5 cm were accomplished by placing burr hole in the center of bone flap rather than along the craniotomy line permitting 360 degrees of dura separation dependent on the length of dura separator. Craniotomy < 9 cm in diameter was performed by placing a single burr hole and a larger size craniotomy was performed with two burr holes. Parasagittal craniotomy was performedby placing burr hole not > 2.5 cm away from expected craniotomy site, namely superior sagittal sinus area enabling separation of adhered dura and venous sinuses. The bone cutter was used in a particular fashion to create smooth margin and beveled edges. Results Craniotomy < 9 cm in diameter was possible with single burr hole in 34 cases. Craniotomy larger than 9 cm in size was performed in 16 cases with double burr hole by strategically placing burr in the center of the desired bone flap. The craniotomy was achieved in all cases without damaging dura and venous structures. Conclusions An optimally placed single burr hole is sufficient for small to moderately large size craniotomy. Larger size craniotomy is possible with minimum numbers of burr holes. This achieves good cosmesis and avoids sinking of the bone flap.