Retrospective Consent to Hemicraniectomy after Malignant Stroke among the Elderly, Despite Impaired Functional Outcome.

Background: Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) after space-occupying strokes among patients older than 60 years has been shown to reduce mortality rates but at the cost of severe disability. There is an ongoing debate about what could be considered an acceptable outcome for these patients. Data about retrospective consent to the procedure after lengthy time periods are lacking.