RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The management of epidural hematoma is classified into surgical or conservative treatment according to clinical and radiologic parameters. In the recent years, the number of paper suggesting conservative management has been increasing. The experimental works that have been performed are based on especially the effects of epidural hematomas. Basic pathophysiologic factors on ischemia result of brain trauma are based on biochemical mediators. Nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) are the substances that play important roles in brain damage after trauma. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this study, 36 rats are divided into three groups (n = 12/group). Epidural hematoma was achieved by 0.1 ml autolog blood in rat epidural space with balloon model. Early and late phase biochemical effects on parenchyma of epidural hematoma operated in a volume which neither alters intracranial pressure (ICP) nor creates shift effect were observed. Biochemical changes of NO and MDA levels were examined in each of three experimental groups. RESULTS: NO values increased significantly in the early group (6 hours) compared with those in the control group. Difference of NO values between the control and late groups was not significant. An increase has been found in MDA values in the control group compared with those in the early group. MDA values of the late group (30 days) were closer to that of the control group. CONCLUSION: In this study, considering biochemical results, we have found that conservative volumes which neither increase ICP nor cause brain shift do not lead to permanent changes on brain.