Comparison of Craniotomy and Stereotactic Aspiration Plus Thrombolysis in Isolated Capsulo-Ganglionic Hematoma: A Retrospective Analyses

Published trials and meta-analyses have suggested the role of surgery in select patients of hypertensive intracerebral hematoma.

This study compares two methods of hematoma aspiration, craniotomy, and stereotactic aspiration.

We conducted retrospective analyses of patients who underwent surgery for capsule-ganglionic hematoma during Jan-2015-Dec-2019. Surgical, intensive-care parameters, and neurological outcomes were compared. Patients operated for Capsule-Ganglionic hypertensive hematomas, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 5-12, hematoma volume ≥30 ml, no concomitant IVH, age <80 years were included.

A total of 173 patients were included (90 craniotomy and 83 stereotactic aspiration groups). Both groups were equivalent in preoperative parameters (P > 0.5). There were no significant differences in residual hematoma volumes, surgical site infections/Meningitis, and chances of re-bleed between the two groups (P > 0.05). The number of days on ventilation, ICU-stay, and hospital-stay were higher in craniotomy group (P < 0.001). Mean Modified Ranking Score (MRS) was lower (P 0.01) in the stereotactic aspiration group. A higher number of patients in the stereotactic aspiration group achieved good MRS (0-2) (P 0.02). Overall case-fatality rate was 38/173 (21.96%) (craniotomy - 24/90 (26.66%), stereotactic aspiration - 14/83 (16.86%), P 0.12). In left-side hematomas, mean MRS was not different between both methods, whereas it differed in the right-side hematomas. On step-wise logistic regression analysis, predicting parameters for the poor outcome (MRS 3-6) were GCS 5-8 (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.38), Left-side (OR 1.75), and craniotomy as a method of evacuation (OR 1.70).

Stereotactic aspiration of the hematoma has the superior edge over craniotomy. Neurological and care parameters are significantly better with stereotactic aspiration. Its safety and surgical performance parallel craniotomy.