Drainage Volume, Drainage Time, and Irrigation Volume in Chronic Subdural Hematoma.
Oula Knuutinen, Pihla Tommiska, Christoph Schwartz et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This post hoc analysis of the multicenter FINISH randomized clinical trial examined whether postoperative drainage volume and time, and intraoperative irrigation volume, were associated with outcomes after chronic subdural hematoma surgery. Among 546 patients, 84 (15.4%) underwent reoperation. Larger drainage volume was associated with higher reoperation odds (odds ratio 1.15 for 100 mL increase, 95% CI 1.02-1.31, P = .03), while longer drainage time was associated with lower odds (odds ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-0.99, P = .02). Irrigation volume was not associated with reoperation, and none of the measured variables was associated with 6-month functional outcome.
Key findings
- Reoperation was required in 84 of 546 patients (15.4%).
- Each 100 mL increase in drainage volume was associated with higher reoperation odds (odds ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.31, P = .03).
- Longer drainage time was associated with lower reoperation odds (odds ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-0.99, P = .02).
- Irrigation volume was not associated with reoperation, and measured variables were not associated with 6-month functional outcome.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that postoperative drainage characteristics may relate differently to recurrence risk: greater volume and shorter duration were associated with more reoperations. This adds nuance to decisions about drainage after chronic subdural hematoma surgery, while the absence of an association with functional outcome means these measures should not be assumed to improve longer-term function.
What to keep in mind
This was a post hoc analysis, and the reported associations do not establish that drainage volume or duration caused differences in reoperation risk.