Dahlgren Instrument for Cranial Opening

Description

Dahlgren Instrument for Cranial Opening

The Dahlgren instrument is a classic tool for opening the skull. Surgeons start at a burr hole and bite outward through the bone, so they can shape the edge of a craniotomy.

What the pattern does

A burr hole gives only a small window. Therefore, the neurosurgeon needs a way to widen it or join it to the next hole. The Dahlgren pattern takes small, controlled bites of bone as it moves along the planned line.

One 20 cm size

We stock the Dahlgren instrument in a single 20 cm length. That length gives a firm grip for the hand while the working end stays at the skull surface. For other dimensions, please contact us before you order.

Its place in a craniotomy set

Many older craniotomy trays hold this tool next to perforators, wire saws and dura dissectors. Also, some surgeons still prefer a hand tool for small openings or for trimming the bone edge. As a result, it remains a useful backup to powered cutters.

Pairing it with other tools

Before any bone cutting, the dura needs to come away from the inner table. So most teams keep a dura dissector close by. Next, a rongeur can smooth the edge once the Dahlgren instrument has done its work.

Caring for your Dahlgren instrument

Bone dust packs into the cutting end quickly. For this reason, rinse the tool at the end of the case and brush out every recess. Then dry it completely and sterilize it according to your facility’s protocol.

Dahlgren instrument specifications

• Instrument for cranial opening
• Overall size: 20 cm
• Single-size listing
• Stainless steel

Buying from Intrace USA

Workmanship faults on the Dahlgren tool fall under our three-year warranty. Before dispatch, someone on our Atlanta team inspects it by hand. Payment and delivery questions have replies in our FAQ section. For steel grades, we follow ASTM F899, which lists steels suitable for cranial tools. For a similar cranial tool, compare the De Vilbiss instrument for cranial opening. Meanwhile, the neurosurgery catalog lists the rest of our cranial range.

For professional use by trained surgical teams. Our care page discusses how we photograph cranial tools and why this steel contains nickel. Exchanges follow our returns policy.