title: Recurrence of chronic subdural haematomata with and without post-operative drainage.
abstract: Chronic subdural haematoma is a common disease causing morbidity and mortality. Recurrence after surgical treatment is common, varying from 5% to 30% of cases. Several methods for reducing recurrence have been advocated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of post-operative subdural drainage. Three hundred forty-four patients were included in a retrospective study. Treatment was performed by burr hole irrigation. Groups were separated into those with post-operative drainage compared to those without. Recurrence occurred in 14% in the drained group, significantly less than 26% in the undrained group (p=0.011). There were no differences in the complication rates. Post-operative drainage reduces recurrence of chronic subdural haematoma without increasing the complication rate. These results support those reported in several other studies. We recommend the use of post-operative subdural drainage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. jakocarl@rm.dk
authors.forename: Jakob G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Carlsen
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cortnum
authors.forename: Jens C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sørensen
mesh_terms: D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D020200:Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014207:Trephining / Q000379:methods*