Chronic subdural hematoma: a comparison of recurrence rates following burr-hole craniostomy with and without drains.

AIM To compare the rates of recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma following surgical evacuation by one of two methods, namely, using frontal and parietal burr holes without a drain or a single parietal burr hole with the addition of a subdural drain. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a randomized controlled trial with two groups of 70 patients each. Patients in group I had two burr holes and those in group II had a single burr-hole. A subdural drain was placed for the second group, and this was removed 48-72 hours later. Patients were followed up for 3 months and symptomatic recurrences underwent re-exploration. RESULTS 11 out of 70 patients in group I had recurrent hematomas requiring surgery while only two out of 70 patients in group II had symptomatic recurrences. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.0168). CONCLUSION The use of a single burr hole with drain appears to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma.