Comparative analysis of treatment results of craniotomy and external closed drain in patients with chronic subdural hematomas

Aim. To conduct a comparative analysis of the treatment results of the patients with chronic subdural hematoma using two methods: closed external drainage and craniotomy.
Materials and methods. The data of 55 patients with chronic subdural hematoma operated in the I.I. Dzhanelidze St. Petersburg Research Institute of Emergency Medicine from 2019 to mid-2023 was analyses retrospectively. Depending on the treatment method, patients were divided into 2 groups: external subdural drains (n = 30, 55.5 %) and evacuation of hematoma via craniotomy (n = 25, 45.5 %). The patients in the groups were comparable in clinical features, radiological characteristics and the Charlson comorbidity index. In the postoperative period, the following were assessed: hematoma thickness and displacement of median structures, occurrence of surgical complications, and mortality.
Results. There were no differences between the groupsin the midline shift, the frequency of postoperative complications, reoperation and deaths. The thickness of the hematomas according to the control computed tomography scans of the brain was lower in the craniotomy group, but this did not determine the outcome of treatment. Patients with a Charlson Comorbidity Index value of 4 points or higher were significantly more likely to have an unfavorable outcome. The sensitivity and specificity of the index in predicting an unfavorable outcome was 71.4 and 69.7 %, respectively.
Conclusion. There were no differencesin the effectiveness of craniotomy and externalsubdural drains of chronic subdural hematoma. In this regard, it is necessary to give preference to minimally invasive methods of treatment. Assessment of the comorbid status allows predicting an unfavorable outcome of treatment.

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