Secondary decompressive craniectomy after severe traumatic brain injury: a retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) often results in malignant intracranial hypertension, requiring decompressive craniectomy (DC). Although guidelines emphasize adequate decompression, craniectomy size is often individualized in practice. Secondary DC may be necessary when initial decompression is insufficient. This study investigated the risk factors and outcomes associated with secondary DC in sTBI patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 101 sTBI patients who underwent DC between 2021 and 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: those receiving only primary DC (N = 85) and those requiring secondary DC (N = 16). Logistic regression identified predictors of secondary DC, while inverse probability of treatment weighting (I

SUBMITTER: Che W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12479320 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature