Decompressive craniectomy: Technical note

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Decompressive craniectomy is a neurosurgical technique in which a portion of the skull is removed to reduce intracranial pressure. The rationale for this procedure is based on the Monro-Kellie Doctrine; expanding the physical space confining edematous brain tissue after traumatic brain injury will reduce intracranial pressure. There is significant debate over the efficacy of decompressive craniectomy despite its sound rationale and historical significance. Considerable variation in the employment of decompressive craniectomy, particularly for secondary brain injury, explains the inconsistent results and mixed opinions of this potentially valuable technique. One way to address these concerns is to establish a consistent methodology for performing decompressive craniectomies. The purpose of this paper is to begin accomplishing this goal and to emphasize the critical points of the hemicraniectomy and bicoronal (Kjellberg type) craniectomy. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Publication Date

4-1-2011

Publication Title

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica

ISSN

00016314

E-ISSN

16000404

Volume

123

Issue

4

First Page

239

Last Page

244

PubMed ID

20637010

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1111/j.1600-0404.2010.01397.x

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