Flexible Endoscopic Aspiration for Intraventricular Casting Hematoma.

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Conventional external ventricular drainage for massive intraventricular hemorrhage carries risks.
• Long-term or repeated drainage can lead to infections and shunt dependency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of neuroendoscopic surgery for intraventricular hematomas.
• To compare early endoscopic intervention with conventional methods.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 13 patients with intraventricular hematoma and intracerebral hemorrhage.
• Manual aspiration of hematomas using a flexible endoscope.
• Evaluation of surgical timing, drainage period, outcomes, and complications.

Main Results:

• Early endoscopic surgery (day of onset) led to better outcomes than delayed surgery.
• 11 patients operated on day of onset required fewer subsequent procedures.
• Patients with early surgery and short drainage (<4 days) showed favorable 3-month outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Early flexible endoscopic surgery for intraventricular hematomas is highly effective.
• This approach offers less invasive treatment, better ICP control, and reduced long-term complications.
• Short post-surgical drainage periods are crucial for optimal results.