Early reoperations in chronic subdural hematoma

Background: The recurrence rate of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is high and early reoperation is often required. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors for early reoperation of chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) treated by classical and minimally invasive approach. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical history of 355 cSDH patients treated with formal craniotomy and minimally invasive burr hole craniostomy. We determined the potential predictors of early reoperations. Results: A total of 33 (9.3%) patients required early reoperation. Those patients more often underwent craniotomies instead of burr hole craniostomies (36.4% vs. 62.7%, p < 0.01) and took steroids before hospitalization (3.0% vs. 0.3%, p = 0.04) than non-reoperated patients. Patients who had surgery on the right side were less likely to be reoperated (51.9% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.04). On multivariate analysis the frontal (OR = 5.284, 95% CI: 1.293–21.76, p = 0.019) and large craniotomy (OR = 2.297, 95% CI: 1.004–5.258, p = 0.048) remained independent risk factors for early reoperation of cSDH. Conclusions: Neurosurgeons should consider the evacuation of a cSDH with help of minimally invasive burr hole craniostomy in most of the cases, as well as avoid large and frontal and craniotomies in order to prevent early reoperation of cSDH.