Surgical Treatment of Chronic Subdural Hematoma by Burr-Hole Drainage With vs. Without Irrigation

Chronic subdural hematoma is a common condition that is increasing in frequency in an aging population, but it remains understudied, with many basic unanswered questions about its optimal treatment. Surgical intervention typically is performed by accessing the subdural space via a burr hole, followed by irrigation of the hematoma and drain placement. A previous trial demonstrated that drain placement improves outcomes, but the effectiveness of irrigation has not been rigorously evaluated. This multicenter, randomized trial was powered to assess whether burr-hole drainage and subdural drain placement without irrigation was noninferior to the identical procedure with irrigation. The primary outcome was the need for reoperation within 6 months…