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Decompressive Craniotomy and Craniectomy for Brain Trauma

  • Traumatic Brain Injury Surgery (S. Timmons, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

There is still substantial controversy surrounding the utility of decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Some surgeons readily perform these operations, while others are more hesitant due to concerns about patient outcomes in severe TBI.

Recent Findings

In this paper, the authors outline recent literature regarding the use of DC in TBI patients, starting with a brief background on surgical methods then examining the results of recent retrospective studies, case series, and randomized trials.

Summary

Despite the controversy, and while a new randomized control trial is pending publication, DC remains an important tool in managing patients with TBI.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of importance

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Hempstead, NY, USA

    Neal D. Mehan, Katherine E. Wagner & Jamie S. Ullman

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, 9 Tower, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA

    Jamie S. Ullman

Authors
  1. Neal D. Mehan
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  2. Katherine E. Wagner
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  3. Jamie S. Ullman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jamie S. Ullman.

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Conflict of Interest

Drs. Mehan, Wagner, and Ullman declare no conflicts of interest relevant to this manuscript.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical collection on Traumatic Brain Injury Surgery.

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Mehan, N.D., Wagner, K.E. & Ullman, J.S. Decompressive Craniotomy and Craniectomy for Brain Trauma. Curr Surg Rep 4, 30 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40137-016-0151-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40137-016-0151-4

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