Surgery for intracerebral hemorrhage

The surgical treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most controversial areas of neurosurgery. Randomized trials are inconclusive due to the small number of patients enrolled or because performed in pre CT era. We analyze the 232 patients admitted to the Niguarda Hospital of Milano, Italy, for ICH during the period January 2001-December 2002. Sixty patients were operated: 29 had secondary haemorrhage, and 30 a primary one. The strategy followed in these patients is presented. The series suggests that indication to surgery is a complex process including several factors that have to be all considered in each patient