Large decompressive craniectomy for patients with severe traumafic brain injury combined with herniation of brain

Objective To investigate the clinical outcome of large decompressive craniectomy in treatment of severe traumatic brain injury combined with herniation of brain.Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out to assess the clinical outcome of large decompressive craniectomy for 98 patients with severe traumatic brain injury combined with herniation of brain enrolled from Jan.2007 to Sep.2010.Results According to the Glasgow outcome scale,there were 27 patients ( GOS 5 points) with good recovery,23 ( GOS 4 points) with moderate deficit,28 (GOS 3 points) with severe deficit,6 (GOS 2 points) under persistent vegetative status and 14 (GOS1 points) deaths at the end of 6 month post injury.We observed a good prognosis rate (good recovery and moderate deficit) of 51％ and a poor prognosis of 49％.Conclusion Large decompressive craniectomy can significanty improve the outcome and reduce complications of patients with severe traumatic brain injury combined with herniation of brain. Key words: Craniocerebral teauma;  Large decompressive craniectomy;  Prognosis