Research Article - Journal of Trauma and Critical Care (2019) Volume 3, Issue 1

Frontal placement of subdural drain for subdural hemorrhage: A single center experience

Mohammad Alif Yunus^*, Mohd Asrol Hafizi Ab Majid, Arman Muhammad Nor, Nujaimin Udin

Neurosurgery Unit, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

*Corresponding Author:

Mohammad Alif Yunus
Neurourgery Unit
Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah
Kuala Terengganu Malaysia
Tel: +60199057358
E-mail: malifyunus@yahoo.com

Accepted date: March 01, 2019;

Citation: Yunus MA, Majid MSHA, Nor AM, et al. Frontal placement of subdural drain for subdural hemorrhage: A single center experience. J Trauma Crit Care. 2019;3(1):12-4

Abstract

Placing a drain following evacuation of Chronic Subdural Hemorrhage (CSDH) has beneficial outcome for patients. The placement of the drain’s tip however is debatable as it has different rationale among neurosurgeons. Objective: The objective is to see whether the outcome is satisfactory by putting the tip of the drain at the frontal region of the sub dural space. Methodology: We retrospectively studied all patients who had CSDH underwent surgery in our center between January 2013 to December 2016. A total of 34 patients with CSDH underwent drilling of one burr hole and irrigation of CSDH. Silicone catheter placed in the sub dural space and the tip of the drain in the frontal region. We measured the SDH volume reduction and volume of pneumocranium post operatively as our outcomes of the study. Results: The mean reduction of SDH volume after surgery is 8.11 cc (73%), while the mean volume of pneumocranium post SDH drainage is 1.58 cc with a range of 0 cc to 9 cc. The mean Global Outcome Score is 2.85 and the recurrence, which need re-operation are 2 cases (6%). Conclusion: The retrospective case series shows a good potential outcome based on the reduction of SDH volume after surgery. A proper randomized trial is needed to determine the efficacy of the frontal placement of the subdural catheter for a comparable outcome.

Keywords

Chronic sub dural hemorrhage, sub dural drain, Surgery, Intracranial pressure.

Introduction

Chronic Subdural Hemorrhage (CSDH) is a collection of liquefied blood underneath the Dura matter which has high incidence in population above 70 years old and after 70 years of age the incidence is 8·2/100,000/year. Hence, as the population ages, the prevalence is anticipated to increase. CSDH often present weeks or months after the first bleed, as the initial hematoma liquefies, it expands. The increase of volume may result in increased in intracranial pressure and subsequent neurological complications [1-3]. CSDH is a profound cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly.

Spontaneous resolution can occur, although surgical evacuation is warranted in most cases, in which patients whom deteriorate [4]. There are several surgical methods for evacuation of CSDH, and the benefit of placing drain postoperatively was confirmed in a recent meta-analysis. However, there were conflicting outcomes regarding in-situ placement of the drains. Our study is to review the outcome of CSDH evacuation in which the tip of the drain is placed at the frontal area, based on the volume of the CSDH post-operatively. We also measure the volume of pneumocranium postoperatively as it’s one of the factors that cause re-accumulation of fluid in the sub-dural space after evacuation of the CSDH [5,6].

Methodology

We retrospectively studied total of 34 patients with Chronic Subdural Haemorrhage diagnosed by CT scan (Figure 1), that were treated surgically in our center between January 2013 to December 2016. All patients underwent drilling of one burr hole and irrigation of the CSDH, followed postoperatively by closed system drainage using silicone catheter size 8 Fr [7-9]. The position of the tip of the catheter was placed in the frontal region. CT scan brain was done after day 2-3 post operation and volume of the CSDH pre and post-operative were calculated as well as documentation of the post-operative pneumocranium volume. Both results were compared as our primary outcome and secondary [10,11] (Figures 2 and 3).

Figure 1. CT Brain Chronic Subdural Hemorrhage.

Figure 2. CT Brain Pre Burr hole and drainage.

Figure 3. CT Brain Post Burr hole and drainage.

Volume calculation formula:

A: Longest axis on CT axial view

B: Longest axis perpendicular to A

C: Height on coronal view

Results

Baseline demographic data are shown in Table 1, which display the mean age for CSDH patient underwent operation were 68.3 years old and male patients are more predominant (73.5%).

Table 1. Baseline demographic data.

The primary outcome in Table 2 illustrates the mean reduction of SDH volume after surgery is 8.11 cc (73%). The number of recurrence, which patients had to go for another operation, is 2 out of 34 patients.

Table 2. Reduction of SDH volume after surgery.

The secondary outcome in Table 3 demonstrate the mean volume of pneumocranium post SDH drainage is 1.58 cc with a range of 0 cc to 9 cc. The mean Global Outcome Score is 2.85 and the recurrence, which need re-operation are 2 cases (6%).

Table 3. Volume of pneumocranium after surgery.

Discussion and Conclusion

It is logically understandable that fluid and air will follow the direction of gravity in a close space. In brain however it’s a debatable condition. As shown in previous study by Nagagutchi et al. [2] in a retrospective study of 63 patients, frontal placement of SDH drain has the least recurrence rate (5%) compared to other position placement of catheter.

In our study also, it shows a good outcome based on the volume of SDH reduction as well as the volume of pneumocranium left postoperatively. This is possibly because air will accumulate over the frontal region and placement of the catheter’s tip at frontal region will help to drain the air out from the brain cavity. Thus, it enable brain parenchymal to fill in the void, and prevent fluid or blood to replace the space. The study however, is not a comparative study, and the data is taken retrospectively. The data outcome is not comparable and we could not conclude that the frontal placement of CSDH drain is the best compared to other position of drain placement. It’s however, based on our opinion, produce desirable outcome in term of volume of SDH reduction and pneumocranium left postoperatively.

As a conclusion, a proper randomized trial is needed to determine the efficacy of the frontal placement of the subdural catheter, the retrospective case series shown a good potential outcome. This is essential to look at a more comparable out-come of placement of CSDH drain postoperatively.

References

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