Recurrence of Chronic Subdural Hematomas Requiring Reoperation: Could Small Trephination Be a Valid Alternative to Conventional Approaches?

Abstract

Abstract Background: Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs) are one of the most common intracranial lesions treated in a neurosurgical department. They associate significant morbidity and mortality that increase in the case of recurrences requiring reoperation. Despite extensive published literature, there is still significant debate regarding optimal management of CSDHs and their potential recurrence. Objective: Identify factors for recurrence requiring reoperation of CSDHs in order to adjust our management strategies. Methods: A retrospective review of 64 cases harbouring 71 CSDHs that were surgically treated in the Neurosurgery Department of “Saint Pantelimon” Clinical Emergency Hospital over a period of two years (January 2016 - December 2017). Two main surgical techniques were used: small trephine and large bone flap craniotomy, according to the operating surgeon’s preference. CT scans were performed at admission and 24 hours postoperatively. Postoperative management was similar in all cases. Results: Recurrence requiring reoperation (RrR) was encountered in 16 (25%) of the reviewed cases. Reoperation was found to be significantly more often encountered in particular preoperative CT characteristics: laminar type (RrR=38,10%, p=0.027) and maximal thickness above 22 mm (43,75%, p = 0,013). Surgical technique had a substantial impact on recurrence: in trephinated cases, reoperation was required in only 8 of 51 patients (RrR=15,69%, p = 0.007), while large bone flap craniotomy associated a RrR of 61,54% (p = 0.008), which increased when associated with inner membranectomy (RrR=87,5%, p = 0,007) or subdural drain placement (88,89%, p = 0.007). Reoperations not only doubled the neurosurgical hospital length of stay, but also associated higher perioperative mortality rates (18.75% versus 14,58%). Conclusions: In our series, surgical technique had a decisive impact on the rate of recurrence. CSDH surgery is another example of “in medio stat virtus”, where finding the right balance between the least and most aggressive technique has the potential of providing the best outcomes, and thus small trephination could be taken into consideration.