Korean J Neurotrauma.  2017 Apr;13(1):1-8. 10.13004/kjnt.2017.13.1.1.

Decompressive Craniectomy in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review Article

• Moon JW
• Hyun DK

• KMID: 2378243
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13004/kjnt.2017.13.1.1

Abstract

The importance of treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) is well known worldwide. Although many studies have been conducted in this topic, there is still much uncertainty about the effectiveness of surgical treatment in TBI. Recently, good randomized controlled trial (RCT) papers about the effectiveness of decompressive craniectomy (DC) in TBI has been published. In this article, we will review the overall contents of the DC (historical base, surgical technic, rationale, complications) and the results of the recently published RCT paper.

Keyword

Decompressive craniectomy; Traumatic brain injury; Neurosurgery

MeSH Terms

Brain Injuries*
Decompressive Craniectomy*
Neurosurgery
Uncertainty

Figure

• 

  FIGURE 1 Axial brain computed tomography of the comparison of (A) bifrontal craniectomy, and (B) unilateral frontotemporoparietal craniectomy. These are two main techniques of decompressive craniectomy.

• 

  FIGURE 2 Unilateral frontotemporoparietal craniectomy: (A) Frontal area 2 cm in front of the coronal suture and close to the skin incision, (B) Parietal area just posterior to the parietal bone and close to the skin incision, (C) Temporal squama, (D) Key hole area behind the zygomatic arch of the frontal bone.

• 

  FIGURE 3 Bifrontal craniectomy: (A) Two burr holes just behind the coronal suture, 1 cm apart from midline on each side, (B) Both key hole areas behind the zygomatic arch of the frontal bone, (C) Both squamous parts of the temporal bones.

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