Table 1.

Surgical variables for all patients, as well as in the presence and absence of subgaleal drains (+drain, −drain)

Surgical variables		Total	+Drain	−Drain	p value
		n (%) or mean ± SD
Access	Curved: straight incision	76 (50.7%), 74 (49.3%)	43 (68.3%), 20 (31.7%)	33 (37.9%), 54 (62.1%)	p < 0.0001
	Longer incision ≥ 15 cm Shorter incision < 15 cm	63 (42.2%), 86 (57.7%)	42 (67.7%), 20 (32.3%)	21 (24.1%), 66 (75.9%)	p < 0.0001
	Larger craniotomy ≥ 27 cm2: Smaller craniotomy < 27 cm2	71 (47.7%), 78 (52.3%)	39 (62.9%), 23 (37.1%)	32 (36.8%), 55 (63.2%)	p < 0.01
Intraoperative ventricle opening		21 (14%)	8 (12.7%)	13 (14.9%)	ns
Closure	non-watertight dural closure: watertight dural closure with or without sealants	34 (22.7%), 116 (77.3)	7 (11.1%), 56 (88.9%)	27 (31.0%), 60 (69.0%)	p < 0.01
	suture: staples	45 (30%), 105 (70%)	8 (12.7%), 55 (87.3%)	37 (42.5%), 50 (57.5%)	p < 0.0001
	compressive dressing	46 (30.7%)	27 (42.9%)	19 (21.8%)	p < 0.01

P-values are calculated for surgical variables after stratifying in two groups (+drain vs −drain). Patients with curved incisions, longer incisions, and larger craniotomies received drains significantly more often. With watertight dural closure with or without sealants, drains were placed significantly more often; wounds were significantly more often closed with stables, when a drain was used. Patients with subgaleal drains received compressive dressings more frequently

+drain, patient with subgaleal drainage; −drain, patient without subgaleal drainage; ns, not significant; SD, standard deviation