Early decompressive craniectomy for malignant cerebral infarction: Meta-analysis and clinical decision algorithm.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is an aggressive life-saving surgical intervention for patients with malignant cerebral infarction (MCI). However, DC remains inconsistently and infrequently utilized, primarily due to enduring concern that increased survival occurs only at the cost of poor functional outcome. Our aim was to clarify the role of DC performed within 48 hours (early DC) for patients with MCI, including patients aged >60 years.

Methods

We performed a meta-analysis of all available randomized controlled trials comparing early DC to best medical care for MCI. Studies were identified through literature searches of electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. We employed a Mantel-Haenszel fixed effects model to assess treatment effect on dichot

SUBMITTER: Streib CD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5100704 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature