Objective To evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of decompressive craniectomy combined with temporal pole resection in the treatment of massive cerebral infarction, in order to provide basis for treatment selection. Methods The clinical data of the patient with massive cerebral infarction treated in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the surgical methods, the patients were divided into control group (decompressive craniectomy) and study group (decompressive craniectomy + temporal pole resection). Intracranial pressure monitoring devices were placed in both groups. The NIHSS scores of the two groups before and 14 days after operation, the changes of intracranial pressure, length of hospital stay, length of NICU, mortality and modified Rankin scale before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Results The NIHSS score of the two groups after operation was lower than that before operation, and the NIHSS score of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05); The intracranial pressure in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05); One month after operation, the mortality of the study group (13.0%) was lower than that of the control group (27.8%). After one year of follow-up, the mortality of the study group (21.7%) was significantly lower than that of the control group (38.8%) (P < 0.05); The scores of mRS in the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the scores of mRS in the study group were better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Decompressive craniectomy combined with temporal pole resection has a better effect in the treatment of patients with massive cerebral infarction. It has good decompression effect, the postoperative intracranial pressure is well controlled, and significantly reduced the mortality. So it has better clinical application value.