Cerebral blood flow and metabolism following decompressive craniectomy for control of increased intracranial pressure.

Objective: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a common practice for control of intracranial pressure (ICP) following traumatic brain injury (TBI), although the impact of this procedure on the fate of operated patients is still controversial.

Methods: Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolic rates were monitored prospectively and daily as a surrogate of neuronal viability in 36 TBI patients treated by DC and compared with those of 86 nonoperated patients. DC was performed either on admission (n=29) or within 48 hours of admission (n=7).