Which of the following is the minimum exposure method frequently used for evacuation of subdural hematomas, placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunts, or stereotactic brain biopsies?

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A burr hole is the minimum exposure made to gain access to the brain. Burr holes are necessary for many neurosurgical procedures and can be used to access the intracerebral ventricles for the placement of a ventricular catheter (VP shunt) to drain obstructed cerebrospinal fluid. Craniectomy is the permanent removal of a section of the cranium using burrs and rongeurs to enlarge one or more burr holes. Craniectomy is indicated as treatment for craniosynostosis in infants and young children. A craniotomy may be performed to evacuate intracranial hematomas, tumors, or vascular lesions not accessible through a burr hole. The bone plate may be separated from the soft tissues, removed from the skull, and set aside for replacement at the end of the procedure. If intracranial swelling at the end of the procedure is a major concern, the bone plate may be frozen and stored in a sterile container according to hospital protocol to be replaced on the patient at a future date when the reduced intracranial pressure and swelling permits. The transsphenoidal route to the pituitary fossa is a less invasive means of removing pituitary or parasellar tumors than the transcranial approach.

Which of the Following Is the Minimum Exposure Method Frequently