trephination
/ˌtrɛfɪˈneɪʃən/
noun
- The surgical practice of drilling or cutting a hole into the human skull, often to treat head injuries or relieve pressure.
- Archaeologists found evidence of trephination in ancient skulls from many different cultures.
- The doctor explained that trephination could help reduce swelling after the accident.
- Trephination is one of the oldest known surgical procedures, dating back to prehistoric times.