Older Age Is Not Associated with Worse Outcomes Following Decompressive Hemicraniectomy for Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background: Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) is commonly offered after large spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) as a life-saving measure. Based on limited available evidence, surgery is sometimes avoided in the elderly. The association between age and outcomes following DHC in spontaneous ICH remains largely understudied.

Objective: The goal of this study is to investigate the influence of older age on outcomes of patients who undergo DHC for spontaneous ICH.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, inpatient data were obtained from the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2000 to 2011. Using International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision designations, patients with a primary diagnosis of nontraumatic ICH who underwent DHC were identified. The primary outcome of interest was the association of age to inpatient mortality and poor outcome. Subjects were grouped by age: 18-50, 51-60, 61-70, and more than 70 years. Sample characteristics were compared across age groups using χ testing, and univariate and multivariate Poisson Regression was performed using a generalized equation to estimate rate ratios for primary and secondary outcomes.

Results: One thousand one hundred and forty four patient cases were isolated. Death occurred in an estimated 28.9% and poor outcome in 86.4%. In multivariate Poisson regression models, there was no difference in hospital mortality or poor outcome by age group. Although younger patients were more likely to be diagnosed with herniation, total complication rate was similar between age groups.

Conclusions: Our study results do not provide evidence that age independently predicts in-hospital mortality or poor outcomes. The true influence of age on outcomes is unclear, and further study is needed to determine which factors may be best in selecting candidates for DHC following spontaneous ICH.