Effects of Oral Streptokinase-Streptodornase on Remnant Chronic Subdural Hematomas

OBJECTIVE: In most cases, the postoperative course of a chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is good, but CSDHs sometimes remain after the inserted catheter is removed, and the outcomes of such remnant hematomas are unclear. As oral streptokinase-streptodornase (OSS) has anti-inflammatory and hematologic effects, we assessed the effects of OSS on remnant CSDHs through a retrospective analysis of clinical data. METHODS: This study included 101 patients with traumatic CSDH who had remnant CSDH after burr-hole trephination with the closed drainage system between October 2009 and December 2012. We assessed the clinical outcomes, remnant CSDH volume, and recurrence rate from computed tomography scans in order to evaluate the effects of OSS. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the changes in remnant hematoma volume between the OSS-treated and non-treated groups (p=0.531). The reoperation rate because of was 5.4% (2 patients) in the OSS-treated group and 6.3% (4 patients) in the non-treated group. The number of patients requiring reoperation did not differ between the groups (p=0.658). CONCLUSION: OSS treatment was not associated with a significant reduction in the remnant CSDH volume or recurrence rate after burr-hole drainage. Thus, there seems to be no basis for using OSS in CSDH patients.