Clinical Outcome of Decompressive Craniectomy Operation for the Management of Acute Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of Decompressive Craniectomy (DC) on the postoperative clinical state of the patient to define a line of management of these cases. Take in considerations the surrounding circumstances of the patient till he reaches the ER in Egypt and the hospital resources. Methods: 200 patients suffering from acute traumatic brain injury causing DCL resulted from different pathologies causing increased ICP. In group A, patients with acute TBI were managed by surgical intervention in the form of Decompressive Craniectomy and in the control group B, patients were managed by medical treatment. The age range was from 8 to 65 with no history of associated medical disorders with exclusion criteria of non-traumatic causes of increased ICP. Results: Data collected showed: male to female ratio of 3:1. The most common mode of injury was falling from height. Mean time from injury to operative intervention was 4 hours. The leading initial symptoms were DCL. In group A the overall mortality was 60%, functional recovery rate was 30%, and left severely disabled or vegetative was 10%. 50% of the cases had associated injury. 20% suffered from post-operative complications. Conclusion: DC is the ideal solution for the management of acute TBI with persistent increased ICP when the other medical management fails, given an early intervention and taking into consideration other factors affecting surgical outcome.