title: Vaccum drainage system application in the management of operation-related non-regional epidural hematoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidural intracranial hematoma is one of the most common complications of surgeries for intracranial tumors. The non-regional epidural hematoma is related to severe fluctuation of the intracranial pressure during the operation. The traditional management of hematoma evacuation through craniotomy is time-consuming and may aggravate intracranial pressure imbalance, which causes further complications. We designed a method using vaccum epidural drainage system, and tried to evaluate advantage and the disadvantage of this new technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients of intracranial tumors were selected. All of the patients received tumor resection and intra-operative non-regional epidural hematoma was confirmed through intra-operative ultrasound or CT scan. The vaccum drainage system was applied. Another ten patients who received craniotomy for intra-operative non-regional epidural hematoma evacuation were selected as comparison. Regular tests, like serial CT scan, were performed afterward to evaluate the effectiveness and to help deciding when to remove the drainage system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The vaccum drainage method was effective in epidual hemotoma clearance and prevented recurrent epidural hemorrhage. The drainage systems were removed within 4 days. All of the patients recovered well. No complications related to the drainage system were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to the traditional craniotomy, the new method of epidural hemoatoma management using vaccum epidural drainage system proved to be as effective in hematoma clearance, and was less-invasive and easier to perform, with less complication, shorter hospitalization, less economic burden, and better prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Capital Medical University-Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Capital Medical University-Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Capital Medical University-Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Linggang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Capital Medical University-Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China ; Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lin
keywords: Epidural drainage; Intracranial tumor; Non-regional epidural hematoma; Operation-related epidural hematoma; Vaccum drainage system