The intra-neuroendoscopic technique (INET): a modified minimally invasive technique for evacuation of brain...

Minimally invasive endoscopic hematoma evacuation is widely used in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage. However, this technique still has room for improvement. The intra-neuroendoscopic technique (INET) is a modified minimally invasive technique, and we report its safety and efficacy in evacuating brain parenchyma hematomas by comparing it with cranial puncture and drainage operation (CPDO).

The frontal, temporal, or occipital approaches were used according to the site of bleeding. The preoperative and postoperative hematoma volumes, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, Cerebral State Index (CSI), hematoma evacuation rate, operation time, complications, and 30-day mortality and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were retrospectively compared between the two groups.

A total of 98 patients were enrolled. The evacuation rate (84 ± 7.1% versus 51.0 ± 8.4%, p = 0.00), 7-day GCS (11.8 ± 1.2 versus 10.4 ± 1.5, p = 0.01), and CSI (87.1 ± 8.7 versus 80.6 ± 10.2, p = 0.02) were higher, and the 30-day mortality rate (1.9% versus 15.6%, p = 0.036) was lower in the INET group. However, the operation time was longer in the INET group than in the control group (65.2 ± 12.5 min versus 45.6 ± 10.9 min, p = 0.000). Multivariable logistic regression showed that a good medium-term outcome (GOS scores 4-5) was significantly associated with INET (odds ratio (OR) 3.514, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.463-8.440, p = 0.005), age under 65 years (OR 1.402, 95% CI, 1.041-1.888, p = 0.026), and hematoma volume less than 50 ml (OR 1.974, 95% CI 1.302-2.993, p = 0.001).

INET surgery for brain parenchyma hematoma evacuation is a safe and efficient modified technique. This technique is minimally invasive, has less complications, and may be helpful in providing optimal outcomes for selected patients.

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02515903. Registered on 5 August 2015.