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A Clinical Effectiveness Trial in Post-Operative Pterional Craniotomy Drain Placement

Not Applicable
Conditions
Pterional Craniotomy
Interventions
Procedure: Standard Suction Drain
Registration Number
NCT02792361
Lead Sponsor
University of Arizona
Brief Summary

This is a clinical trial where patients who present to the neurosurgery service in need of a procedure that requires a pterional craniotomy will be screened, and if eligible, enrolled for the randomization in the placement of a drain at the surgical site. At present, there is not a protocol for whether or not to use a drain following this procedure. There is some debate on whether it serves any real benefit for the patient or if it may actually be detrimental in cases where infection occurs. This study aims to answer this question by randomizing patients to drain placement and then comparing patient outcomes between the two groups. These include the following: infection rate, length of hospital stay, self-reported patient pain and discomfort, the amount of time before patients are able to open their eye ipsilateral to the side of operation, change in forehead circumference post-op days 1-3, and any unforeseen post-operative complications. This will be accomplished through using a patient-administered survey, recording physical measurements, and a patient chart review. Statistical analysis will then be used to identify any differences that may exist.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
90
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients that have been scheduled for surgery requiring the use of a pterional craniotomy approach
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients in need of a surgical intervention requiring a pterional craniotomy due to reasons of physical injury
  • Patients who need a pterional craniotomy with a orbitozygomatic approach
  • Patients who have noticeable physical injury to their skull
  • Patients with a prior surgical history of a craniotomy
  • Patients with a pathological condition deemed severe enough by the screening physician to possibly influence the healing process of the procedure (blood clot disorder, cirrhosis, severe nutrient depletion, congestive heart failure etc.)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Treatment GroupStandard Suction DrainSubjects who did have a suction drain placed post-operatively following a Pterional Craniotomy at the location of surgical incision.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain DifferenceAt the time of discharge from the hospital but no longer than up to 16 weeks from the date of surgery.

Compare the reported pain/ discomfort between the patients who had drain placement from those who did not. This will be performed using a survey administered to patients upon removal of the drain

Complication RateFrom the date of surgery to the date of discharge from the hospital for up to 16 weeks following surgery, or until death, depending which comes first.

An overall assessment comparing complications between the two study groups will be performed. This will include looking things such as hospital acquired pneumonia, the development of any new neurological conditions or deficiencies, and other unforeseen complications that may arise which are not be directly related to the drain but may potentially still be influenced by it.

Surgical site infection rateFrom the date of surgery to the date of discharge from the hospital for up to 16 weeks following surgery, or until death, depending which comes first.

Compare infections rates between patients with drains placement versus those who did not. Determine if there is any statistically significant difference in risk exists between the two study populations.

Difference in Length of Hospital StayFrom the date of surgery to the date of discharge from the hospital for up to 16 weeks following surgery, or until death, depending which comes first.

Compare the length of hospital between the treatment groups and determine whether a significant difference exists.

Head Circumference DifferenceDay 1 through Day 3 following surgery.

Compare the change in measured forehead circumference between treatment groups on post-operative days 1-3. Determine if a significant difference exists between the two.

Ability to open ipsilateral eye to surgical site.Day 1 through Day 3 following surgery.

Compare the number of subjects able to open and close their eye on the ipsilateral side of the surgical site between the study groups

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
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