Effect of hemorrhagic cerebrospinal fluid drainage on cognitive function after intracranial aneurysm clipping

Abstract

Objective: The effects of repeated lumbar puncture and continuous lumbar cistern drainage on the cognitive function of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were compared and analyzed. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on 59 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treated at our Neurosurgery Department between October 2017 and October 2018. According to the hemorrhagic cerebrospinal fluid drainage mode after aneurysm clipping, the patients were divided into the following two groups: the repeated lumbar puncture drainage (Group A, n = 28) and continuous lumbar cistern drainage (Group B, n = 31). Before and 1 month after surgery, the cognitive function of the patients was scored using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale. Scores of 27~30 were defined as normal, and scores of < 27 as cognitive impairment. Results: The incidences of cognitive impairment were 46% (13/28) and 32% (10/31) for Groups A and B, respectively, before surgery, but the difference was not significant ( P > 0.05). The incidences of cognitive impairment were 35% (10/28) and 12% (4/31) for Groups A and B, respectively, at 1 month after surgery, with significant difference ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared with repeated lumbar puncture, continuous lumbar cistern drainage for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage significantly reduced the incidence of cognitive impairment after aneurysm clipping.