Efficacy evaluation of neuroendoscopy vs burr hole drainage in the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma:An observational study

BACKGROUND Chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH)is a common disease in neurosurgery.The traditional treatment methods include burr hole drainage,bone flap craniectomy and other surgical methods,and there are certain complications such as recurrence,pneumocephalus,infection and so on.With the promotion of neuroendoscopic technology,its treatment effect and advantages need to be further evaluated.AIM To study the clinical effect of endoscopic small-bone approach in CSDH.METHODS A total of 122 patients with CSDH admitted to our hospital from August 2018 to August 2021 were randomly divided into two groups using the digital table method:the neuroendoscopy group(n=61 cases)and the burr hole drainage group(n=61 cases).The clinical treatment effect of the two groups of patients with CSDH was compared.RESULTS At the early postoperative stage(1 d and 3 d),the proportion of 1/2 re-expansion of brain tissue in the hematoma cavity and the proportion of complete reexpansion was higher in the neuroendoscopy group than in the burr hole drainage group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).The recurrence rate of hematoma in the neuroendoscopy group was lower than that in the burr hole drainage group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).No intracranial hematoma,low cranial pressure,tension pneumocephalus or other complications occurred in the neuroendoscopy group.CONCLUSION The neuroendoscopic approach for the treatment of CSDH can clear the hematoma under direct vision and separate the mucosal lace-up.The surgical effect is apparent with few complications and definite curative effect,which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Steroid for chronic subdural hematoma? A prospective phase IIB pilot randomized controlled trial on the use of dexamethasone with surgical drainage for the reduction of recurrence with reoperation

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma is a common neurosurgical condition especially in the aging population.Burr hole for drainage is an effective treatment, yet recurrence is reported at 8 to 22 ％ worldwide, and 1-year mortality rates could be as high as 32 ％.Our previous study on the use of dexamethasone as a primary nonsurgical treatment showed good response in selected group of patients.This study aims to assess the efficacy of dexamethasone with surgical drainage in the reduction of recurrence requiring reoperation.Methods: From October 2000 to September 2006, patients with chronic subdural hematoma admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, were randomized to surgical drainage with steroid versus surgical drainage only.The primary endpoint was symptomatic recurrence requiring reoperation.Results: Two hundred forty-eight patients were recruited and consented for the randomization during the study period.One hundred twenty-two received both surgery and steroid (the intervention arm) while 126 received surgery only (the control arm).The recurrence rate requiring reoperation was 6.6 ％ (8/122) and 13.5 ％ (17/126),respectively (p =0.109).There was no significant difference in complications such as chest infection (p =0.201) or wound infection (p =0.987).Favorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Score 4-5) was 104/122 (85.2 ％) in the intervention group versus 105/126 (83.3 ％) in the control group, respectively (p =0.811).Based on the recurrence rate in our study, we generate a potential sample size of at least 594 patients (type Ⅰ error =5 ％, power =80 ％,two-sided test) to detect a significant difference.Conclusions, brief summary, and potential implications: In this prospective pilot phase IIB randomized controlled study, steroid with surgical drainage had a lower recurrence with reoperation though statistically insignificant.It was safe with no significant difference in complication rates.This pilot study generates a potential sample size for a definitive larger double-blinded randomized controlled trial in the future.