Modern Approaches to Evacuating Intracerebral Hemorrhage

The present review aims to discuss the recent advances in surgical management of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), safety and efficacy of minimally invasive surgical techniques, and the existing evidence supporting their use.

Newer surgical techniques, collectively referred to as minimally invasive surgery (MIS), have been evaluated and studied in management of ICH. Stereotactic evacuation of intracerebral hemorrhage using aspiration-irrigation technique has showed significant reductions in the hematoma volume with minimal intra-operative bleeding. Catheter-based evacuation in combination with use of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) produces lysis and drainage of spontaneous ICH and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) rapidly with minimal major adverse events. Recent advances in the management of spontaneous ICH highlights potential advantages including safety and efficacy in clot lysis and reduction in hematoma volume especially with image-guided catheter-based drainage and concurrent use of rt-PA. Controlled trials are required to conclusively establish standard surgical techniques and rt-PA dosage, before incorporating minimally invasive surgery plus rt-PA, as a standard of care in patients with spontaneous ICH.