Clinical characteristics and efficacy of burr hole drainage in patients over 85 years old with chronic subdural hematoma

HU Xian-chao; QIU Da-chang; DONG Yong-fei

doi:10.13798/j.issn.1009-153X.2025.01.006

Abstract：Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and efficacy of burr hole drainage in treating chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH)in patients aged 85 years or older.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 49 patients aged 85 years or older with CSDH who underwent burr hole drainage between July 2020 and August 2023(super elderly group),and 49 patients aged 65～75 years with CSDH who received the same treatment during the same period were selected as the control group.Results In the super elderly group,45 patients(91.83%)exhibited good neurological function postoperatively,among which 43 patients(87.76%)achieved complete recovery of neurological function;in the control group,46 patients(93.88%)exhibited good neurological function,among which 41 patients(83.67%)had completely normal neurological function.There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of good neurological function or complete neurological recovery between the two groups(P>0.05).In the super elderly group,3 patients had delirium and 7 had pneumonia postoperatively,while in the control group,no delirium occurred and 3 had pneumonia.The incidence of postoperative complications in the super elderly group(20.41%)was significantly higher than that(6.12%)in the control group(P=0.037).After a 6-month follow-up,there was no statistically significant difference in recurrence rate(6.12%vs.4.08%)or mortality rate(4.08%vs.2.04%)between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusions Burr hole drainage is a safe and effective treatment for CSDH in patients aged 85 years or older,with the possibility of complete recovery.Age should not be considered a contraindication for burr hole drainage;however,the incidence of postoperative complications is relatively high.