The effect of atorvastatin on recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma after novel YL-1 puncture needle surgery.

Abstract Objective Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common neurological disorder with a high recurrence rate. This study investigates the effect that atorvastatin has when used as a postoperative adjuvant therapy on the prevention of CSDH recurrence after YL-1 puncture needle surgery. Patients and Methods A retrospective analysis of 516 CSDH patients who underwent YL-1 puncture needle surgery was undertaken. Baseline characteristics including sex, age, history of injury, past medical histories (anticoagulation, liver dysfunction, heart diseases, malignant tumors, diabetes, hemodialysis, and chronic alcoholism), and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnostic indicators (bilateral, mixed density or signal, maximum hematoma width, and brain atrophy) were recorded. Differences in recurrence rates were compared between two groups: one with atorvastatin after surgery and one without. Results 516 patients (429 men and 87 women), aged 14-98 years (mean age, 67.09 ± 11.74 years) were included in the study. YL-1 puncture needle surgery was performed 610 times. 94 patients had bilateral surgery, totaling 184 procedures. 301 patients with 360 procedures were treated with atorvastatin after surgery, of which 25 had recurrent CSDH; recurrence rate: 7.0% (25/360). 215 patients with 250 procedures had surgery without subsequent atorvastatin, of which 14 had recurrent CSDH; recurrence rate: 5.6% (14/250). Univariate analysis indicated no statistically significant difference in recurrence rates between groups (P > 0.05). Baseline characteristics of the two groups (age, sex, history of injury, past medical histories, CT or MRI diagnostic indicators) also showed no statistical difference (all P > 0.05). Conclusions YL-1 puncture needle surgery with irrigation and closed-system drainage is an effective surgical treatment for CSDH. Atorvastatin has no statistically significant effect on the prevention of CSDH recurrence after surgery.