The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on cerebral edema and neural function after minimally invasive surgery for intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective To investigate the influence of early hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on cerebral edema and neural function in patients after minimally invasive surgery for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).Methods A random number table was used to divide 148 ICH surgery patients into a control group (n =75) and a treatment group (n =73).In the treatment group,HBO was administered in 51 cases 6-24 hours after surgery and then once a day for twenty days.Cerebral edema volume was measured by brain CT before the operation and on the 3rd,7th,14th and 21st day after the surgery.Neurological impairment was scored at the same time points.Results Average cerebral edema volume was significantly smaller in the treatment group than in the control group on the 7th,14th and 21st days,but not on the 3rd day.The neurological impairment scores (NIS) after therapy were significantly lower than that before therapy in both groups.The two groups' average scores were not significantly different before the operation or on the 3rd day,but they were significantly lower in the treatment group thereafter.Conclusion Early HBO therapy can significantly reduce cerebral edema and contribute to nerve functional recovery in patients after minimally invasive ICH surgery. Key words: Cerebral hemorrhage; Minimally invasive surgery; Hematoma; Hyperbaric oxygen; Cerebral edema; Neurological impairment