Burr-hole craniostomy versus mini-craniotomy in the treatment of chronic subdural hematomas

• Main Authors: André Tokpa, Moussa Diallo, Louis Kéabléon Derou, Yves Soress Dongo, Bernard Fionko, Adéréhime Haïdara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Academic Publishing 2021-06-01
• Series: Romanian Neurosurgery
• Subjects: burr hole; chronic subdural hematoma; craniotomy
• Online Access: http://www.journals.lapub.co.uk/index.php/roneurosurgery/article/view/1946
• ISSN: 1220-8841; 2344-4959

Although cases of spontaneous recovery or under medical treatment have been reported, the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma is mainly surgical. The optimal surgical technique for the treatment of chronic subdural hematomas is still open to debate. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes between burr-hole craniostomy and craniotomy in patients with chronic subdural hematoma. Materials and methods: we have performed a retrospective study in patients operated for chronic subdural hematoma in the neurosurgery department of the teaching hospital of Bouaké between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2020. We compared the data of patients operated by a single burr-hole craniostomy (group A) and those operated by minicraniotomy (group B). Demographic parameters, clinical signs, complications and neurological findings were analyzed. Fisher’s exact test, Chi-squared, and student’s t-test were performed. Results: group A included 46 patients and group B 55 patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups about age (59.5 years vs 59.8 years p = 0.89), sex (man: 74% vs 78.2%, P = 0.645), comorbidities, clinical signs on admission and location of the hematoma. There was also no significant difference between recurrence rates (4.3% vs 3.6% p = 0.55), postoperative complications (15.21% vs 7.27% p = 0.172) and neurological findings between the two groups. Conclusion: patient outcomes are similar in the treatment of chronic subdural hematomas by craniostomy and minicraniotomy.