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

NCT07549893 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-08-04

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

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.

Conditions

  • Chronic Subdural Hematomas

Interventions

PROCEDURE

CT-Guided Intra-Operative Middle Meningeal Artery Interruption

This intervention is a surgical adjunct performed during standard burr-hole evacuation of chronic subdural haematoma. Using pre-operative non-contrast CT and intra-operative neuronavigation, the surgeon identifies distal convexity branches of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) supplying the haematoma membrane. Where safely accessible, limited bipolar coagulation is applied to interrupt these branches through the planned burr-hole. Burr-hole position may be slightly adjusted within the haematoma footprint to facilitate safe targeting. If branches cannot be confidently identified or safely accessed, the adjunct is omitted and standard surgery is completed. No additional imaging or devices are introduced beyond routine clinical care.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University College London Hospitals

    collaborator OTHER

  • University College, London

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-08-01
Primary Completion
2027-07-01
Completion
2027-12-01

Countries

  • United Kingdom

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07549893 on ClinicalTrials.gov