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In a retrospective study the operative results of 200 patients with chronic subdural hematoma were investigated. In the majority of patients a burr hole and a closed drainage was performed. The operative result was very good (resumption of normal life) in 67.5% of the patients. Operative mortality was 4.5%, in these patients an obvious connection was appearant between the result and the poor preoperative condition. The recurrence of hematomas required a second operation in 8% and a third in 1%.

In a retrospective study the prognosis of acute subdural hematoma was considered with reference to the data of 255 patients who underwent surgery because of acute subdural hematoma during a period of 10 years in the Department of Neurosurgery of the Landesnervenklinik in Salzburg. The mortality rate was 43.5%, and 21.6% had a full functional recovery. The findings of the study confirm that the preoperative neurological condition, the age, the kind of accident sustained and the extent of concomitant brain injury influence on the prognosis decisively.

In a retrospective study the clinical symptomatology and the clinical results of carpal tunnel syndrome is evaluated by means of 1000 patients. The results of 1047 operated hands assessed by the patients were rated as very good 72%, good 21.2% and satisfactory 5.6%.

In a retrospective study 368 epidural hematomas are presented, treated from 1970 until August 1991. The clinical course and manifestation of acute epidural hematomas is commented on by means of own cases. Assessing the success of treatment, it could be demonstrated that the prompter diagnosis reduced the lethal outcome of epidural hematoma to 6.6%.

Craniocerebral missile injuries are a relatively rare type of head injury during peacetime. In the Department of Neurosurgery of the Landesnervenklinik Salzburg 72 patients were operated on for gunshot wounds of the brain in the period 1970-1990, and 31 survived. In the same period 6763 patients were treated for other head injuries. As shown by the clinical courses and the operative results, the velocity and thus the extent of the primary brain damage determine the prospects of success in the treatment of cerebral missile injuries.

Posttraumatic intracranial hematomas of the posterior fossa are rare but severe complications of head injuries. In the period between 1970 and 1989 in the neurosurgical department of Landesnervenklinik Salzburg 28 patients were operated on posttraumatic hematomas of the posterior fossa. The prognosis of this type of injury is shown by the own results.

Posttraumatic dural arterio-venous malformations, as described in this case, are a rare incidence of head injury. Because of possible further complications, like spontaneous bleeding or a possible increase in size, the removal is advised.

An increasing number of neurosurgeons, neurologists and anesthesiologists is concerned with the diagnostic securing of brain death, because of the advance of intensive care and the possibility of transplantation of organs. In this, by legal issues considerable influenced field, the documentation represents an important point. Besides an efficient organisation should avoid unnecessary loss of time by the explanation of organs.

The results of a follow-up study of 18 patients with closed fracture of the humerus and mostly primary nerve injury are described. Only 2 patients required operation upon injured nerves. Conservative treatment alone obtained a reasonable restitution of nerve function.

A calcified fibroma caused a so called cervical syndrome not responding to medical treatment. In the computerized tomography a compression of the cervical spinal cord could be demonstrated. From this the indication for the operation was given.

During the last skiing season (November 1981 to March 1982), 33 patients were treated for craniocerebral injuries caused by skiing accidents. Based on the classification made by Tönnis und Loew, 11 patients had grade I, 11 patients grade II and 11 patients grade III (including 3 open craniocerebral injuries). Four patients underwent operation for intracranial hematoma. Out of 33 patients 79% recovered completely. One patient has a permanent neurologic defect, two patients have an apallic syndrome and four died.