Background: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a rescue operation performed for reduction of intracranial pressure due to progressive brain swelling, mandating the need for cranioplasty.
Objective: To describe expansile craniotomy (EC) as a noninferior technique that may be effectively utilized in situations requiring standard DC.
Materials and methods: A decision to perform DC or EC was taken by consecutively allocation to either of the procedures. The bone flap was divided into three pieces, which were tied loosely to each other and to the skull using silk threads. The primary outcome included functional assessment using Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score at 1 year.
Results and conclusions: Total 67 patients were included in the analyses, of which, 31 underwent EC and 36 underwent DC. Both the cohorts were matched in terms of baseline determinants for age, Glasgow coma scale, and Rotterdam score at admission. There was no significant difference in GOS scores and the extent of volume expansion obtained by EC as compared to DC. Complication rates though less in EC group did not differ significantly between the groups. EC appears to be the safe and effective alternative to DC in the management of brain swelling due to TBI with a potential to obviate the need of cranioplasty.
Keywords: Decompressive craniectomy; Glasgow outcome scale; expansile (hinge) craniotomy; intracranial volume; severe traumatic brain injury.