Covers to Improve Esthetic Outcome After Surgery for Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The clinical-functional result after frontal and parietal burr-hole trepanation for the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is effective with regards to control of the hematoma and regression of symptoms (headache, decreased vigilance and neurological deficits). However, in patients the treatment may leave visible depressions of the scalp, just above the trepanation sites, that typically develop gradually after weeks - months after the procedure. A considerable proportion of patients find this aesthetically, functionally and psychologically disturbing; the skin depressions may even cause pain or interfere with activities of daily living, such as combing, etc. An effective method would exist to avoid this undesired treatment effect: Before the skin is closed, a permeable titanium burr-hole plate could be attached above the trepanation site in order to prevent the skin from sinking into the bony defect. However, this is rarely done today, likely because there is no evidence that this treatment modification is effective and safe. Moreover, as material is implanted, this causes additional costs. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate whether the application of burr-hole plates on both the frontal and parietal burr-hole in the context of burr-hole trepanation for the treatment of cSDH can improve patient satisfaction with the aesthetic result of the surgery. In addition, the study is intended to demonstrate that this additional measure will not result in poorer hematoma control, poorer clinical/neurological outcomes, or additional complications for the patient. In a prospective, single-blind and controlled approach, we randomize 80 patients with uni- or bilateral cSDH into an intervention group (with burr-hole plates) or into a control group (without burr-hole plates). The primary end result of the study is the patient's reported satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome of the surgical scar. Secondary results are pain, functionality, neurological status, health-related quality of life, residual hematoma volume, and complications (according to Clavien-Dindo scale; especially re-operation rate for recurring cSDH and infections). The study corresponds to a modern approach, since today's patients not only expect favorable treatment results for their disease, but the therapy should also avoid permanent undesired side-effects, if possible.

Official Title
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COveRs to impRove EsthetiC ouTcome After Surgery for Chronic Subdural hemAtoma by buRr Hole Trepanation (CORRECT-SCAR) - a Single-blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic, Hematoma, Subdural, Intracranial, Haematoma;Subdural;Traumatic

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Placement of burr-hole covers
* Other: No placement of burr-hole covers


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Participants fulfilling all of the following inclusion criteria are eligible for the study: Patients with first-time cSDH (hypodense, isodense, hyperdense or mixed-type in CT-imaging), scheduled for uni- or bilateral double burr hole trepanation under general anesthesia Patient age ≥ 18 years Patient non-comatose at time of inclusion (GCS > 8 points) Patient able to communicate (in terms of ability to hear, see, speak and understand) The presence of any one of the following exclusion criteria will lead to exclusion of the participant: Patient with recurrent cSDH or previous surgery for cSDH Patient with cSDH treated by craniotomy or by single burr hole trepanation Patient with cSDH treated in local anesthesia Patient unlikely to attend the follow-up (due to reasons of residency, dismal prognosis, etc.) Pregnancy Known allergy against or incompatibility with Titanium Known or suspected non-compliance Inability to follow the study procedures, e.g. due to psychological disorders, dementia, etc. of the participant

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: As the evacuation of a cSDH encompasses trepanation of the skull with 2 burr-holes per side (each one in the frontal and parietal skull region), we will perform the study as follows: In patients with unilateral cSDH, we will cover either both (intervention group) or none of the burr holes with a burr hole cover (control group). In patients with bilateral cSDH, we will cover one side with burr hole covers (intervention side), while on the other side no burr hole covers are applied (control side).
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention group<br>Both burr-holes are covered by burr-hole covers in patients with unilateral cSDH. In patients with bilateral cSDH, both burr-holes of the intervention side are covered by burr-hole covers. | Device: Placement of burr-hole covers<br>* Placement of a burr-hole cover (Stryker® UN3 BURR HOLE COVER, 20mm, W/TAB, Item code 53-34520) fixed with 2 screws (Stryker® UNIII AXS SCREWS, SELF-DRILLING, 1.5 x 4MM, Item code 56-15934) on each of two burr-holes<br>* Other names: Stryker® UNIII AXS SCREWS, SELF-DRILLING, 1.5 x 4MM, Item code 56-15934;|
| Active Comparator: Control group<br>None of the burr-holes are covered by burr-hole covers in patients with unilateral cSDH. In patients with bilateral cSDH, both burr-holes on the control side are left uncovered. | Other: No placement of burr-hole covers<br>* In the control group, none of the burr-holes is covered, representing our current standard of care. In patients with bilateral cSDH, none of the burr-holes on the control side are covered with burr-hole covers.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patient satisfaction with the aesthetic result of the scar | For the primary outcome, patient satisfaction with the aesthetic results of the scars is determined using a patient-rated outcome measure (PROM), the Aesthetic Numeric Analogue (ANA) scale ranging from 0 (dissatisfied) - 10 (very satisfied). Here, on each side, the frontal and parietal scars are measured separately, and the mean scar satisfaction score per side is built by adding the two values and dividing the sum by two in each patient. | 90 days postoperative +/- 10 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patient satisfaction with the aesthetic result of the scar | Patient satisfaction with the aesthetic results of the scars is determined using the ANA scale ranging from 0 (dissatisfied) - 10 (very satisfied) | 12 months postoperative +/- 30 days | 
| Impairment in activities of daily living | Impairment in activities of daily living (ADLs), rated as yes vs. no, with the following options: a) hairdressing, b) combing, c) washing, d) other | 90 days and 12 months postoperative | 
| Skin depression | Rate of skin depression, rated as yes vs. no | 90 days and 12 months postoperative | 
| EQ-5D Index | Health-related Quality of Life (HrQoL) - as PROM on the EQ-5D - allowing the calculation of the EQ-5D index that ranges from -0.074 (worst hrQoL) - 1.00 (best hrQoL) using European norms | 90 days and 12 months postoperative | 
| EQ-5D VAS | HrQoL - as PROM on the EQ-5D - allowing the calculation of the EQ-5D VAS (ranging from 0 (worst hrQoL) - 100 mm (best hrQoL)) | 90 days and 12 months postoperative | 
| Neurological outcome | Neurological outcome - as physician-rated outcome measure by the NIHSS (ranging from 0 (no neurological deficit) - 42 (severe neurological deficits)), performed by a physician who was trained in the use of the scale (certified) | 90 days postoperative | 
| Disability | Disability, determined by the mRS (ranging from 0 (no disability) to 6 (dead) | 90 days postoperative | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Burr hole cover, Chronic subdural hematoma, Trepanation, Aesthetic outcome, Complications, Patient satisfaction, Burr hole plate, Scar, Skin depression