Single versus double burr-hole drainage for chronic subdural hematoma: A study of relevant prognostic factors conducted in Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of single versus double burr-hole for drainage of chronic subdural hematoma, keeping in consideration pertinent demographic, pre and postoperative associations. METHODS: A prospective cohort study carried out in Combined Military Hospital, Multan, (December 2016-August 2018), on adults with diagnosed chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH); being segregated by randomized control trial, non-probability purposive sampling into Group-A and Group-B (who underwent single and double burr-holes for CSDH-drainage respectively). Utilizing SPSS-21, data expressed as frequencies/percentages and mean± standard deviation (SD) and cross-tabulated; p-value <0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: Age and GCS scores were 62±13.694 (range 38-94) and 11.00±3.350 (range 3-15) respectively, males being 40(66.7). Post-operative fatality was Nil, while 8(13.3%) and 14(23.3%) had post-operative seizures and recurrence of hematoma respectively. There was no significant association between type of burr-hole and hospital stay (p 0-884), seizures (p 0.448) or recurrence (p 0.542). Hospital stay (p<0.000) and seizures (p-0.005) were inversely proportional to GCS scores on presentation. Recurrence rates were not affected by age (p-0 .175) or gender (p-0 .281). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between outcomes of single and double burr-hole surgeries; the former must be preferred because of lesser iatrogenic trauma. GCS-score on presentation was validated as a negative association to anticipate post-operative outcomes.