Effect of atorvastatin on postoperative complications after the burr hole drainage of chronic subdural hematoma

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of atorvastatin on postoperative complications after the burr hole drainage of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Methods The clinical data of 172 CSDH patients who had underwent the burr hole drainage were retrospectively analyzed. Among them 82 patients were given atorvastatin (atorvastatin group), and 90 patients were not given atorvastatin (control group). The postoperative complications were compared between 2 groups. Results All patients were followed up for 6 months. The total incidence of postoperative complications in control group was significantly higher than that in atorvastatin group: 47.78% (43/90) vs. 31.71% (26/82), and the recurrent rate of subdural hematoma and incidence of subdural effusion in control group were significantly higher than those in atorvastatin group: 22.22% (20/90) vs. 8.54% (7/82) and 28.89% (26/90) vs. 12.20% (10/82). There were statistical differences (P 0.05). Conclusions Atorvastatin can improve the prognosis of CSDH patients, especially in reducing the incidence of recurrent subdural hematoms and subdural effusion. Key words: Hematoma, subdural, chronic; Drainage; Postoperative complications; Atorvastatin