Keyhole craniectomy in the surgical management of spontaneous intracerebral hematoma

Although the surgical management of spontaneous intracerebral hematoma (SICH) is a controversial issue, it can be life saving in a deteriorating patient. Surgical techniques have varied from the open large craniotomy, burr hole and aspiration to the minimally invasive techniques like stereotactic aspiration of the SICH, endoscopic evacuation and stereotactic catheter drainage. The authors report their experience with a keyhole craniectomy for the surgical evacuation of SICH. Ninety-six cases of SICH were treated using the keyhole craniectomy technique. A small craniectomy of 2-2.5 cm diameter was made using a vertical incision over a relatively ‘silent area’ of the cortex closest to the clot. Using a small cortical incision the hematoma was evacuated and decompression was achieved. Hemostasis was achieved using standard microneurosurgical techniques. Good to excellent outcome was achieved in 55 cases. Mortality was noted in 23 patients. Blood loss was minimal during the procedure. Good evacuation of the clot was seen in all but 5 cases as judged by the postoperative CT scan. The keyhole craniectomy technique is minimally invasive, safe and can achieve good clot evacuation with excellent hemostasis. It can be combined with microscopic or endoscopic assistance to achieve the desired result.

Stereotactic Removal of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hematoma Using Hematome and Urokinase

We had tried to perform mechanical aspiration using Hematoma and fibrinolytic drainage with Urokinase for treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hematoma(SICH) in 24 patients. Mean initial volume of SICH was 53.65+/-26.34 ml, mean evacuated amount of SICH after Hematoma procedure was 46.25+/-23.64%, and mean evacuated amount of SICH after fibrinolytic drainage after Urokinase was 74.15+/-20.89%, compared with pre-operative status. We could aspirate more than 50% of hematoma if the Hematoma procedure had been performed within 18 hours after ictus(p=0.0306). The rebleeding rate after Hematoma procedure was 8.3%, and overall mortality rate was 12.5%. There results seem to indicate mechanical aspiration using Hematoma and fibrinolytic drainage with Urokinase might be one of the useful method for treatment of SICH.