Daily life without cranial bone protection while awaiting cranioplasty: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Decompressive craniectomy is occasionally performed as a life-saving neurosurgical intervention in patients with acute severe brain injury to reduce refractory intracranial hypertension. Subsequently, cranioplasty (CP) is performed to repair the skull defect. In the meantime, patients are living without cranial bone protection, and little is known about their daily life. This study accordingly explored daily life among patients living without cranial bone protection after decompressive craniectomy while awaiting CP.

Methods

A multiple-case study examined six purposively sampled patients, patients' family members, and healthcare staff. The participants were interviewed and the data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

The cross-case analysi

SUBMITTER: Gustavsson H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11333547 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature