Adjunctive role of middle meningeal artery embolization in patients with surgical treatment of unilateral chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundChronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common neurological condition, with high recurrence rates after surgical evacuation, posing significant challenges for patient outcomes. Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy to reduce recurrence and...

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Main Authors: Johannes Wach, Martin Vychopen, Erdem Güresir
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Surgery
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1623619/full
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author Johannes Wach
Martin Vychopen
Erdem Güresir
author_facet Johannes Wach
Martin Vychopen
Erdem Güresir
author_sort Johannes Wach
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundChronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common neurological condition, with high recurrence rates after surgical evacuation, posing significant challenges for patient outcomes. Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy to reduce recurrence and reoperation rates. This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of MMAE on recurrence and reoperation rates in surgically treated unilateral subdural hematoma patients.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials comparing surgical evacuation with and without adjunctive MMAE were included. The primary outcomes were recurrence and reoperation rates within 90 days. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.ResultsTwo trials involving 965 patients met inclusion criteria. 478 patients underwent surgery with MMAE, and 487 patients underwent only surgery. MMAE reduced reoperation rates from 6.0% in controls to 2.5% in the MMAE group (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20–0.82; p = 0.01), with no significant heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). Recurrence rates were lower in the MMAE group (5.2% vs. 9.2%, OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.17–1.59; p = 0.25), but the difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionMMAE significantly reduces the risk of reoperation in surgically treated unilateral subdural hematoma patients and may also reduce recurrence rates. These findings support the integration of MMAE as an adjunct to surgery in selected patients.
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spelling doaj-art-ab9e81839fd34dda9f0ce8c2aca306eb2025-08-20T03:55:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Surgery2296-875X2025-07-011210.3389/fsurg.2025.16236191623619Adjunctive role of middle meningeal artery embolization in patients with surgical treatment of unilateral chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsJohannes WachMartin VychopenErdem GüresirBackgroundChronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common neurological condition, with high recurrence rates after surgical evacuation, posing significant challenges for patient outcomes. Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy to reduce recurrence and reoperation rates. This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of MMAE on recurrence and reoperation rates in surgically treated unilateral subdural hematoma patients.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials comparing surgical evacuation with and without adjunctive MMAE were included. The primary outcomes were recurrence and reoperation rates within 90 days. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.ResultsTwo trials involving 965 patients met inclusion criteria. 478 patients underwent surgery with MMAE, and 487 patients underwent only surgery. MMAE reduced reoperation rates from 6.0% in controls to 2.5% in the MMAE group (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20–0.82; p = 0.01), with no significant heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). Recurrence rates were lower in the MMAE group (5.2% vs. 9.2%, OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.17–1.59; p = 0.25), but the difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionMMAE significantly reduces the risk of reoperation in surgically treated unilateral subdural hematoma patients and may also reduce recurrence rates. These findings support the integration of MMAE as an adjunct to surgery in selected patients.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1623619/fullchronic subdural hematomameta-analysismiddle meningeal artery embolizationreoperationsurgical evacuationunilateral
spellingShingle Johannes Wach
Martin Vychopen
Erdem Güresir
Adjunctive role of middle meningeal artery embolization in patients with surgical treatment of unilateral chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Frontiers in Surgery
chronic subdural hematoma
meta-analysis
middle meningeal artery embolization
reoperation
surgical evacuation
unilateral
title Adjunctive role of middle meningeal artery embolization in patients with surgical treatment of unilateral chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_full Adjunctive role of middle meningeal artery embolization in patients with surgical treatment of unilateral chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_fullStr Adjunctive role of middle meningeal artery embolization in patients with surgical treatment of unilateral chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_full_unstemmed Adjunctive role of middle meningeal artery embolization in patients with surgical treatment of unilateral chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_short Adjunctive role of middle meningeal artery embolization in patients with surgical treatment of unilateral chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_sort adjunctive role of middle meningeal artery embolization in patients with surgical treatment of unilateral chronic subdural hematoma a systematic review and meta analysis of randomized controlled trials
topic chronic subdural hematoma
meta-analysis
middle meningeal artery embolization
reoperation
surgical evacuation
unilateral
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1623619/full
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