Decompressive Craniectomy for Traumatic Acute Extradural Haematoma: Decision Making and Outcomes

Abstract

Extradural Haematoma (EDH) in neurosurgery needs no introduction. It is the most commonly encountered and dealt traumatic pathology in neurosurgery. Operative indications for the same has been in the literature and followed unchecked. Evacuating haematoma and repositioning the bone flap back has been a usual protocol. But decision for Decompressive Craniectomy (DC) in EDH and their outcomes have less vividly thought of. In the present case series the authors shared their experience of 10 patients, of traumatic EDH, who presented with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of <5 and underwent DC with haematoma evacuation in first sitting itself. Based on the experience it is proposed that DC in traumatic EDH patients bring about better outcome in these patients.

Keywords

• neurosurgery
• non-pulsatile dura
• shock
• swril sign