TREATMENT OF CHRONIC SUBDURAL-HEMATOMA BY CLOSED-SYSTEM DRAINAGE WITHOUT IRRIGATION

BACKGROUND Recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma after surgery has n ot been eliminated. We sought to determine whether irrigation influenc es recurrence rate. METHODS Patients who had undergone surgery for chr onic subdural hematoma were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS Between 1986 and 1993, 186 cases of chronic subdural hematoma were treated sur gically at Mite National Hospital. Recurrence was limited to six cases (3.2%). A closed drainage system without irrigation has been used sin ce 1988 in 119 patients. Before 1988, 67 cases were treated with singl e burr hole irrigation and drainage. The rate of recurrence with the c losed drainage system was 3.4% (four cases), compared with 3.0% (two c ases) for irrigation and drainage. CONCLUSION Compared with irrigation and drainage, the closed drainage system without irrigation was safe and effective, and recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma is not infl uenced by irrigation. (C) 1998 by Elsevier Science Inc.