Observational studyJournal of neurology2020
Complications in cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy: timing of the intervention.
Observational study in Journal of neurology, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 37 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
37 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 76 citations in OpenAlex.
- Early Versus Delayed Cranioplasty After Decompressive Craniectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Brain and behavior · 2026Pooled it
- Outcomes of post-operative drain use after cranioplasty surgery - a systematic review and meta-analysis.Acta neurochirurgica · 2026Pooled it
- The role of autologous bone in cranioplasty. A systematic review of complications and risk factors by using stored bone.Acta neurochirurgica · 2024Pooled it
- Complications of cranioplasty in relationship to traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosurgical review · 2021Pooled it
- The cranioplasty equation: the influence of biomaterials, surgical timing, and frailty on optimising success.Neurosurgical review · 2026Article
- Effects of cranioplasty with customized 3D titanium mesh plates on postoperative complications and neurological outcomes following traumatic brain injury or stroke: a single-center retrospective study.Langenbeck's archives of surgery · 2026Article
- Optimal time between decompressive craniectomy and cranioplasty to reduce the risk of complications: A retrospective study.Neurosurgical review · 2026Article
- Sleeve cranioplasty: A novel endoscope-assisted cranioplasty technique after decompressive hemicraniectomy.Surgical neurology international · 2026Article
- Surface Modification of Cranioplasty Implants to Reduce Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Collection: A Preliminary Clinical Study.Korean journal of neurotrauma · 2026Article
- Decompressive craniectomy following malignant cerebral infarction is an independent risk factor for ventriculomegaly.Neurosurgical review · 2025Article
- Collapse Ratio and Operative Duration as Key Predictors of Postoperative Complications Following Cranioplasty.Cureus · 2025Article
- The timing of cranioplasty and the risk of postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis.EClinicalMedicine · 2025Article
- Single-stage versus two-stage resection for large anterior midline skull base meningiomas with bihemispheric peritumoral edema.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Balancing form and function: A single-center review of autologous vs. synthetic grafts in cranioplasty.Acta neurochirurgica · 2025Article
- Timing of cerebrospinal fluid diversion with ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement in cranioplasty reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Surgical neurology international · 2025Article
- Lumboperitoneal shunting as a rescue strategy in the management of complex cranial wound conditions.Brain & spine · 2025Article
- Single-center experience with ultra-early cranioplasty within 3 weeks after decompressive craniectomy.Frontiers in neurology · 2025Article
- Effect of pain nursing intervention on patients with craniocerebral trauma combined with ocular trauma after decompressive craniectomy.Pakistan journal of medical sciences · 2024Article
- Decompressive craniectomy: A primer for acute care practitioners.Journal of the Intensive Care Society · 2024Review
- Exploring complications following cranioplasty after decompressive hemicraniectomy: A retrospective bicenter assessment of autologous, PMMA and CAD implants.Neurosurgical review · 2024Observational
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo prevent complications following decompressive craniectomy (DC), such as sinking skin flap syndrome, studies suggested early cranioplasty (CP). However, several groups reported higher complication rates in early CP. We studied the clinical characteristics associated with complications in patients undergoing CP, with special emphasis on timing.
methodsA single-center observational cohort study was performed, including all patients undergoing CP from 2006 to 2018, to identify predictors of complications.
results145 patients underwent CP: complications occurred in 33 (23%): 18 (12%) epi/subdural hemorrhage, 10 (7%) bone flap infection, 4 (3%) hygroma requiring drainage, and 1 (1%) post-CP hydrocephalus. On univariate analysis, acute subdural hematoma as etiology of DC, symptomatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow disturbance (hydrocephalus) prior to CP, and CP within three months after DC were associated with higher complication rates. On multivariate analysis, only acute subdural hematoma as etiology of DC (OR 7.5; 95% CI 1.9-29.5) and symptomatic CSF flow disturbance prior to CP (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.1-7.9) were associated with higher complication rates. CP performed within three months after DC was not (OR 1.4; 95% CI 0.5-3.9). Pre-CP symptomatic CSF flow disturbance was the only variable associated with the occurrence of epi/subdural hemorrhage. (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.6-9.0)
conclusionCranioplasty has high complication rates, 23% in our cohort. Contrary to recent systematic reviews, early CP was associated with more complications (41%), explained by the higher incidence of pre-CP CSF flow disturbance and acute subdural hematoma as etiology of DC. CP in such patients should therefore be performed with highest caution.
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Registered trials
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