Introduction: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a surgical technique used to treat patients with elevated intracranial pressure often found in head injury. Its indication remains a controversial issue in the pediatric population.
Objective: To report seven cases managed with this technique.
Method: Retrospective study of seven patients, aged from 2 to 17 years, treated with unilateral DC due to increased intracranial pressure (ICP) as a consequence of head injury. All patients had ICP monitored post operatively and the DC classified as ultra-early (<6h), early (6-12h) or late (>24h) according to the time of its application. The minimum follow-up was six months.
Results: Patients were evaluated with CT scans and clinical exams, and graded according the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Three patients deceased (GOS1), one was in vegetative state (GOS2), two recovered but still requiring nursing care (GOS3 and 4), and one had a full recovery (GOS5) at hospital discharge. After six months the GOS2 and a GOS3 patients achieved full recovery (GOS5). Subdural collection (2), hydrocephalus (1) and superficial infection (1) occurred as complication. Two patients had autologous cranioplasty and the other two heterologous cranioplasty.
Conclusion: Decompressive craniectomy remains a feasible treatment method to lower the ICP, but is not safe from complications. A multicentric study should be done for appropriate protocol treatment of pediatric patients.