What is the purpose of decompressive craniectomy?
Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a neurosurgical procedure useful to prevent and manage the impact of high intracranial pressure (ICP) that leads to brain herniation and brain’s tissue ischemia.
When is a decompressive craniectomy performed?
In stroke patients, evidence supports that early decompression performed within 24 h or before clinical signs of herniation may improve overall mortality and functional outcomes.
How is a craniectomy performed?
During a craniectomy, your care team puts you to sleep under general anesthesia. A neurosurgeon makes a cut on your scalp. The surgeon makes holes in your skull using a special drill. Using a power saw, the surgeon joins the holes and cuts out a piece of the skull.
What is decompressive surgery for stroke?
By decompressive craniectomy, a significant proportion of the skull is surgically removed, allowing the ischemic tissue to shift through the surgical defect rather than to the unaffected regions of the brain, thus avoiding secondary damage due to increased intracranial pressure.
What causes brain swelling?
Fluid collection within the brain tissue, called cerebral edema, can result from numerous causes, including infections, trauma, stroke, brain tumors, certain toxic substances, complications of diabetes, chemical imbalances, abuse of opioids, extreme high blood pressure (malignant hypertension), or high altitude …
What part of the skull is removed in decompressive craniectomy?
Share on Pinterest During a decompressive craniectomy procedure a part of the skull may be removed to reduce pressure on the brain. During the operation, a surgeon removes the portion of the skull that is causing the pressure on the brain. This is usually the area of the skull that covers the injury.
What bone is removed in a craniectomy?
After the brain surgery, the surgeon replaces the bone flap and attaches it to the surrounding bone with small titanium plates and screws. If part of the skull bone is removed and not replaced right away, it is called craniectomy.
How long does a craniectomy take?
It could take up to 3-5 hours if you are having a regular craniotomy. If you have an awake craniotomy, the surgery could take 5-7 hours.
Is a craniectomy considered brain surgery?
A craniotomy is a brain surgery that involves the temporary removal of bone from the skull to make repairs in the brain. It is highly intensive and comes with certain risks, which make it a serious surgery.
What drugs reduce brain inflammation?
There have been a variety of drugs that have been reported to reduce inflammation in the central nervous system, including melatonin, minocycline and statins. Melatonin, derived from the pineal gland, has been shown to provide neuroprotection for brain and spinal cord trauma.
What medication is used to reduce brain swelling?
Mannitol and hypertonic saline (HS) are the most commonly used osmotic agents. The relative safety and efficacy of HS and mannitol in the treatment of cerebral edema and reduction of enhanced ICP have been demonstrated in the past decades.
What is decompressive craniectomy (DC)?
Decompressive Craniectomy (DC) is used to treat elevated intracranial pressure that is unresponsive to conventional treatment modalities. The underlying cause of intracranial hypertension may vary and consequently there is a broad range of literature on the uses of this procedure.
Can decompressive craniotomy be used for hypertension?
Decompressive craniectomy. Decompressive craniectomy (i.e., removal of a bone flap) has become more popular as a treatment for refractory intracranial hypertension. Although there is a place for decompressive craniotomy following head injury, there is also the potential to do harm.
What are the possible complications of decompressive craniectomy?
Age of greater than 50 years is associated with a poorer outcome after the surgery. Infections such as meningitis or brain abscess can occur after decompressive craniectomy.
What is a craniectomy and how is it performed?
A craniectomy begins with a cut in the scalp. The surgeon peels back the skin and tissue underneath it to reveal the skull. Because the skull is a hard bone, the doctor will use a drill, and a bone saw to cut into it. Once the surgeon has removed the bone, they will stop any bleeding before closing the wound with stitches.