Middle Meningeal Artery Coagulation During Burr-Hole Drainage for Chronic Subdural Haematoma (BURR-MMA)

Chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) is a common condition in older adults, usually treated by burr-hole surgery to drain the collection. Even with good surgery, around 1 in 10 patients develop a recurrence and need a second operation. Research shows that the outer lining of the haematoma is fed by small branches of the middle meningeal artery (MMA), and interrupting these branches may lower the risk of recurrence. This study looks at whether surgeons can safely and reliably coagulate these small MMA branches at the same time as standard burr-hole drainage, using the routine pre-operative CT scan and surgical navigation already used in everyday practice. Adults (aged 18 years and over) scheduled for burr-hole drainage of a chronic or subacute subdural haematoma will be invited to take part. The procedure, recovery, drain management, and 90-day follow-up will otherwise follow standard NHS care. No additional imaging is required for the study, and participants are not exposed to any extra radiation. The main purpose is feasibility and safety, not to prove effectiveness. Findings will inform the design of a future multicentre study.

NCT Number	NCT07549893
Lead Sponsor	University College, London Collaborators: University College London Hospitals
Conditions	Chronic Subdural Hematomas
Enrollment	30 participants
Start Date	2026-08-01
Primary Completion	2027-07-01 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-12-01 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-08-04