Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39803074›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

Bifrontal Craniectomy: A High-Yield Surgical Training Tool.

Julian M Burwell, Alejandro Bugarini, Mathangi Rajaram-Gilkes

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Julian M BurwellDepartment of Medical Education, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, USA.
Alejandro BugariniDepartment of Neurosurgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, USA.
Mathangi Rajaram-GilkesDepartment of Medical Education, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Bifrontal decompressive craniectomy (DC), which was once a popular technique for treating midline mass lesions, has seen a notable decline in its therapeutic use within modern neurosurgery. Despite its diminished clinical use, the procedure offers considerable value as an educational tool for surgical training. This study used a Thiel-embalmed cadaver to demonstrate the bifrontal DC procedure, including a Souttar incision, strategic (MacCarty, zygomatic, and apical) keyhole/burr hole placement, superior sagittal sinus suturing, left frontal lobe decortication, and microscopic visualization of the anterior cranial fossa. The procedure demonstrated educational value in three ways: first, wide anatomical exposure enables a detailed discussion of tissue handling. Second, an efficient training paradigm that allows multiple surgical techniques to be taught within a limited timeframe. Third, it offers risk management training focusing on superior sagittal sinus protection. While bifrontal DC has selective therapeutic applications, its potential as a teaching tool is undervalued. The procedure's wide exposure creates an ideal platform for surgical education, allowing residents to develop skills in a structured environment. We advocate its use in training programs by focusing on its educational benefits rather than its limited therapeutic role.

Indexed as

bifrontal craniectomydecompressive craniectomykjellberg procedureneurosurgical trainingsurgical education

Identifiers

PMID39803074
PMCPMC11721524

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.