Audit of operating theatre time utilization in neurosurgery.

Utilization of operating theatre time is an important issue in neurosurgery, in a National Health Service Hospital. NHS Trusts are under ever increasing pressure to meet specified 'targets' in relation to admissions and operations. We performed a retrospective audit on the utilization of neurosurgical operating theatres at Royal Preston Hospital, analysed the times required for various common neurosurgical operations, and broke them down into clinical (operating and anaesthetic) and non-clinical times.

Propionibacterium acnes causing delayed subdural empyema - a case report and review of literature.

The authors report a patient who presented with a delayed subdural empyema caused by Propionibacterium acnes following excision of a meningioma. This organism should be suspected in all patients with delayed empyema especially in the presence of implants and immunosuppression. The main features of this pathogen is discussed.

Zig-zag bicoronal scalp incision for cranio-facial cases in paediatric neurosurgery.

Technique: We present the use of a zig-zag bicoronal scalp incision for cranial-facial cases in paediatric neurosurgery.

Conclusion: The authors believe that this technique leads to improved cosmesis, especially when the hair is wet.