Letter to the Editor Regarding “Optimal Bone Flap Size for Decompressive Craniectomy for Refractory Increased Intracranial Pressure in Traumatic Brain Injury: Taking the Patient's Head Size into Account”

2020 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 653
Author(s):  
Daniel Buzaglo Gonçalves ◽  
Laura Raquel da Silva Costa ◽  
Maria Izabel Andrade dos Santos ◽  
Robson Luis Oliveira de Amorim ◽  
Wellingson Silva Paiva
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Intracranial Pressure ◽  
Decompressive Craniectomy ◽  
Bone Flap ◽  
Head Size ◽  
Increased Intracranial Pressure ◽  
Letter To The Editor

Do long-term results justify decompressive craniectomy after severe traumatic brain injury?

2008 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias H. Morgalla ◽  
Bernd E. Will ◽  
Florian Roser ◽  
Marcos Tatagiba
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Intracranial Pressure ◽  
Decompressive Craniectomy ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Barthel Index ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Long Term Results

Object A decompressive craniectomy can be a life-saving procedure to relieve critically increased intracranial pressure. The survival of a patient is important as well as the subsequent and long-term quality of life. In this paper the authors' goal was to investigate whether long-term clinical results justify the use of a decompressive craniectomy. Methods Thirty-three patients (20 males and 13 females) with a mean age of 36.3 years (range 13–60 years) with severe traumatic brain injury (Grades III and IV) and subsequent massive brain swelling were examined. For postoperative assessment the Barthel Index was used. A surgical intervention was based on the following criteria: 1) The intracranial pressure could not be controlled by conservative treatment and constantly exceeded 30 mm Hg (cerebral perfusion pressure < 50 mm Hg). 2) Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography revealed only a systolic flow pattern or systolic peaks. 3) There were no other major injuries. 4) The patient was not older than 60 years. Results One-fifth of all patients died and one-fifth remained in a vegetative state. Mild deficits were seen in 6 of 33 patients. A full rehabilitation (Barthel Index 90–100) was achieved in 13 patients (39.4%). Five patients could resume their former occupation, and another 4 had to change jobs. Conclusions Age remains to be one of the most important exclusion factors. Decompressive craniectomy provided good clinical results in nearly 40% of patients who were otherwise most likely to die. Therefore, long-term results justify the use of decompressive craniectomy in this case series.

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