Observational studyActa neurochirurgica2024
Single-centre real-life observational study on mortality and outcomes: decompressive craniectomy and brain death in traumatic brain injury, haemorrhage, and other cerebral diseases.
Observational study in Acta neurochirurgica, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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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
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Pupillomotor Dysfunction and Outcomes After Decompressive Craniectomy in Pediatric Patients.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Munich cCT Rule for Patients with Recreational Drug and Ethanol Poisoning.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Article
- Indications and scientific support for supratentorial unilateral decompressive craniectomy for different subgroups of patients: A scoping review.Acta neurochirurgica · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundDecompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) is used after severe brain damages with elevated, refractory intracranial pressure (ICP). In a non age-restricted population, mortality rates and long-term outcomes following DHC are still unclear. This study's objectives were to examine both, as well as to identify predictors of unfavourable outcomes.
methodsWe undertook a retrospective observational analysis of patients aged 18 years and older who underwent DHC at the University Hospital of Bonn between 2018 and 2020, due to traumatic brain injury (TBI), haemorrhage, tumours or infections. Patient outcomes were assessed by conducting telephone interviews, utilising questionnaires for modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and extended Glasgow Outcome scale (GOSE). We evaluated the health-related quality of life using the EuroQol (EQ-5D-5L) scale.
resultsA total of 144 patients with a median age of 58.5 years (range: 18 to 85 years) were evaluated. The mortality rate was 67%, with patients passing away at a median of 6.0 days (IQR [1.9-37.6]) after DHC. Favourable outcomes, as assessed by the mRS and GOSE were observed in 10.4% and 6.3% of patients, respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed a 2.0% increase in the mortality risk for every year of age (HR = 1.017; 95% CI [1.01-1.03]; p = 0.004). Uni- and bilateral fixed pupils were associated with a 1.72 (95% CI [1.03-2.87]; p = 0.037) and 3.97 (95% CI [2.44-6.46]; p < 0.001) times higher mortality risk, respectively. ROC-analysis demonstrated that age and pupillary reactivity predicted 6-month mortality with an AUC of 0.77 (95% CI [0.69-0.84]). The only parameter significantly associated with a better quality of life was younger age.
conclusionsFollowing DHC, mortality remains substantial, and favourable outcomes occur rarely. Particularly in elderly patients and in the presence of clinical signs of herniation, mortality rates are notably elevated. Hence, the indication for DHC should be set critically.
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