[Mortality after surgical treatment of patients with hypertensive intracerebral hematomas]

Authors summarized the experience of specialized neurosurgical clinic for treatment of patients with stroke. From 1998 till 2008 1035 patients with hypertensive intracerebral hematomas were examined and treated in the clinic. 635 patients were operated, 400 received conservative treatment. Volumes of hematomas varied from 3 to 130 ml. Mean volume of hematoma in the "surgical" group was 52.9 ml (SD = 23.1), in the "conservative" group -- 37.2 ml (SD = 22.9). Two types of indications for surgery were defined: a) indications for life-saving surgery; b) indications for surgical treatment, implying achievement of good functional result. Hematomas were removed using different techniques: craniectomy or craniotomy -- 123 patients; minimally-invasive craniotomy and limited encephalotomy -- 78; puncture aspiration -- 65; puncture aspiration combined with local fibrinolysis (prourokinase) -- 291; combined procedures (including endoscopic) -- 49; external ventricular drainage -- 29. 30-days mortality in the "surgical" group was 29%, in the "conservative" group -- 38.7%. Critical volumes of hematomas of different localization with maximal effect on mortality were distinguished. Main causes of lethal outcome in the "surgical" group were the following: pulmonary artery thomboembolism -- 21.5%, pneumonia -- 29%, recurrent hemorrhage -- 19.5%. Therefore, surgical management of hypertensive intracerebral hematomas in selected groups of patients is associated with lower rate of mortality, in comparison with conservative management. Basically, it refers to the patients in severe condition, with volumes of hematoma above critical limits specific for certain localization.