Surgical managemen
Patients with a GCS score or 8 and lower who have a large lesion on noncontrast head CT scan are candidates for surgical evacuation of the lesion. Surgery should be expedited if the patient’ s neurologic status deteriorates. Surgical repair is indicated for patients with depressed skull fractures that are displaced more than the thickness of the skull table, especially if the fractures of the skull table, especially if the fractures are open or complicated.
Decompressive craniectomy, in essnce, provides an exception to the Monro-kellie doctrine because it converts the closed compartment of the skull into an open system that lets the brain expand, thereby avoiding herniation. After bone removal, brain compliance increases. Although decompressive craniectomy is the most effective way to reduce ICP, the long-term prognosis for patients is variable. One study concluded that the presence of bilateral or contralateral lesions in patients with TBI who underwent craniectomy carries a poor prognosis. Anothecr study conluded that bifrontotemporoparietal decompressive craniectomy
Descreassed ICP and length of ICU stay in patiens with severe TBI but was also associated with more unfavorable outcomes. Bilateral decompressive craniectomy has been shown shown to de a favorable treatment in select patients, specificifically younger patients with reactive pupils, whose ICP and CPP values are stabilized within 24 hours of undergoing surgery. The usefulness of bifrontal decompressive craniectomy is still controversial; however, in recent studies, it seems that division of the falx at the floor of the anterior cranial fossa in combination with removal of the skull is recommended in an effort to maximize decompressive effect. Studies on the long-term prognosis for patients after craniectomy are conflicting, and more research is needed in this area.
Most would agree that timely decompressive craniectomy, before the development of irreversible brain damage, is key to a positive patient outcome. ICP, clinical exam,and pbto2 are the monitoring parameters most helpful in predicting optimal timing for decomepressive craniectomy
A large craniectomy with large dural opening is requied for adequate decompression The size of the bone flap should be about 12 cm (4.7 inches) (anteriorposterior) by 9 cm (3.5 inches) (superior-inferior),in addition to duraplasty. Often a subgaleal drain is left in place to allow for continued drainage of blood that may accumulate in the subgaleal space postopertively.Drain placement was statistically significant in one study as a protective factor against postoperative comeplications. Medical management is continued intraoperatively and postoperatively to minimize elevations in ICD