• Martin Hanko, Jakub Soršák, Pavol Snopko, René Opšenák, Kamil Zeleňák, and Branislav Kolarovszki.
• Clinic of Neurosurgery, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava and University Hospital in Martin, Kollárova 2, Martin, 036 59, Slovak Republic.
• Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2021 Oct 1; 47 (5): 1635-1647.

PurposeDecompressive craniectomy is an effective measure to reduce a pathologically elevated intracranial pressure. Patients' survival and life quality following this surgery have been a subject of several studies and significantly differ according to the primary diagnosis. Since this operation is often associated with a wide spectrum of possibly serious complications, we aimed to describe their incidence and possible associated risk factors.MethodsWe evaluated 118 patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy at our clinic during years 2013-2017. The indications included traumatic brain injuries, ischaemic or haemorrhagic strokes and postoperative complications of planned neurosurgical procedures. Subsequently, we assessed the incidence of early postoperative complications (occurring during the first 3 postoperative weeks). The results were statistically analysed with relation to a wide selection of possible risk factors.ResultsAt least one early surgical postoperative complication occurred in 87 (73.73%) patients, the most frequent being a development of an extraaxial fluid collection in 41 (34.75%) patients. We were able to identify risk factors linked with extraaxial fluid collections, subcutaneous and extradural haematomas, postoperative seizures and meningitis. An overall need for reoperation was 13.56%. Neither the duration of the surgery nor the qualification of the operating surgeon had any effect on the complications' occurrence.ConclusionsDecompressive craniectomy is associated with numerous early postoperative complications with a various degree of severity. Most cases of complications can, however, be managed in a conservative way. The risk factors linked with postoperative complications should be taken into account during the indication process in each individual patient.© 2020. Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

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