Decompressive craniectomy: Surgical control of traumatic intracranial hypertension may improve outcome

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to assess the role of decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with post-traumatic intractable intracranial hypertension (ICH) in the absence of an evacuable intracerebral haemorrhage.MethodsRetrospective study at LAC+USC Medical Centre including patients who underwent DC for post-traumatic malignant brain swelling or ICH without space occupying haemorrhage, during the period 01/2004 to 12/2008. The analysis included the effect of DC on intracranial pressure (ICP) and timing of DC on functional outcomes and survival.ResultsOf 106 patients who underwent DC, 43 patients met inclusion criteria. Of those, 34 were operated within the first 24 h from admission. DC decreased the ICP significantly from 37.8 ± 12.1 mmHg to 12.7 ± 8.2 mmHg in survivors and from 52.8 ± 13.0 to 32.0 ± 17.3 mmHg in non-survivors. Overall 25.6% died (11 of 43), and 32.5% (14 of 43) remained in vegetative state or were severely disabled. Favourable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale 4 and 5) was observed in 41.9% (18 of 43). No tendency towards either increased or decreased incidence in favourable outcome was found relative to the time from admission to DC. Six of the 18 patients (33.3%) with favourable outcome were operated on within the first 6 h.ConclusionsDC lowers ICP and raises CPP to high normal levels in survivors compared to non-survivors. The timing of DC showed no clear trend, for either good neurological outcome or death. Overall, the survival rate of 74.4% is promising and 41.9% had favourable neurological outcome.