Neuronavigation-assisted neuroendoscopy versus conventional craniotomy for hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage: A comparative analysis of efficacy and outcomes

Hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage is a severe condition in neurosurgery, associated with high disability and mortality rates. The present study compares the efficacy and outcomes of neuronavigation-assisted neuroendoscopy versus conventional microscope (craniotomy) in treating patients with hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage. A retrospective study was conducted by analyzing medical records of patients with hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage treated at Wuhan No.1 Hospital between February 2015 and February 2019. The study included 65 patients who underwent either neuronavigation-assisted neuroendoscopy (n = 35) or conventional microscopy treatment (n = 30). All patients underwent standard neurological and clinical examinations, as well as routine laboratory tests upon admission. The diagnosis of hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage was based on computed tomography (CT) findings. Basic parameters, clinical status on admission, imaging results, management, and outcome measures were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Neuronavigation-assisted neuroendoscopy showed advantages over craniotomy in terms of surgical procedure time and intraoperative blood loss ((81.91 ± 17.77) min vs (195.20 ± 31.97) min, (63.66 ± 12.42) ml vs (335.00 ± 104.26) ml, P < 0.01). The hematoma evacuation rate was higher in neuroendoscopy group ((94.37 ± 5.174)% compared to the craniotomy group ((90.80 ± 5.404)%, P < 0.01). Additionally, the time of ventricular drainage was shorter in the neuroendoscopy group ((4.83 ± 1.671) days) than in the craniotomy group ((7.70 ± 1.878) days, P < 0.01). Neuroendoscopy group also resulted in fewer surgical complications and a shorter hospital stay (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the risk of rebleeding and mortality between the neuroendoscopy and craniotomy group (P > 0.05). Neuronavigation-assisted neuroendoscopy is a rapid, safe, and effective minimally invasive technique for the treatment of hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage. It offers potential benefits in reducing surgical complications and hospital stay compared to conventional craniotomy.