Role of early decompressive craniectomy in traumatic brain injury: Our clinical experience

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important cause of death, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. Diffuse edema in the damaged cerebral tissue as a result of trauma and the subsequent increase in intracranial pressure cause significant neurological deterioration. Consequently, decompressive craniectomy (DC) is performed as the surgical treatment of TBI. The aim of this study is to evaluate the post-operative mortality and morbidity rates of patients who underwent DC for TBI in our clinic. METHODS: The data of 57 cases of TBI were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical, radiological and surgical features of these cases were reviewed. The rates of mortality and morbidity, as well as main indicators of mortality were investigated. RESULTS: Twenty-five (43.8%) patients were female and 32 (56.1%) were male. The mean age was 54.5 years. Fourteen (24.5%) patients were presented with subdural hematoma, 5 (8.7%) with epidural hematoma, 18 (31.5%) with intracerebral hematoma, 13 (22.8%) with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 7 (12.2%) with other radiological findings. DC was performed in all cases as soon as possible after admission. Twelve (21.1%) patients died in the first 3 days postoperatively and 7 (12.2%) patients in the postoperative 3-15 days due to progressive cerebral damage and secondary infections. Six (10.5%) patients recovered completely and were discharged. Thirty-two (56.1%) patients were transferred to palliative care clinics and physical therapy clinics after the surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: DC, which is performed in the early period of treatment in TBI, is as important as the degree of intracerebral damage at the time of admission and the high Glasgow coma scale score. Post-operative results are more satisfactory in patients who underwent DC at an earlier stage of treatment.