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Updated: Jul 15, 2025
Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Intracerebral Hemorrhage Evacuation
Published on: October 15, 2021
Surgical timing and indications for decompressive craniectomy in malignant stroke: results from a single-center
Silvia Hernández-Durán1, Xenia Hautmann2, Veit Rohde2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Georg August University Göttingen, Robert Koch Strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany. silvia.hernandez@med.uni-goettingen.de.
Purpose:
Acute ischemic stroke induces rapid neuronal death and time is a key factor in its treatment. Despite timely recanalization, malignant cerebral infarction can ensue, requiring decompressive surgery (DC). The ideal timing of surgery is still a matter of debate; in this study, we attempt to establish the ideal time to perform surgery in this population.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective study of patients undergoing DC for stroke at our department. The indication for DC was based on drop in level of consciousness and standard imaging parameters. Patients were stratified according to the timing of DC in four groups: (a) "ultra-early" ≤12 h, (b) "early" >12≤24 h, (c) "timely" >24≤48 h, and (d) "late" >48 h. The primary endpoint of this study was in-house mortality, as a dependent variable from surgical timing. Secondary endpoint was modified Rankin scale at discharge.
Results:
In a cohort of 110 patients, the timing of surgery did not influence mortality or functional outcome (p=0.060). Patients undergoing late DC were however significantly older (p=0.008), and those undergoing ultra-early DC showed a trend towards a lower GCS at admission.
Conclusions:
Our results add to the evidence supporting an extension of the time window for DC in stroke beyond 48 h. Further criteria beyond clinical and imaging signs of herniation should be considered when selecting patients for DC after stroke to identify patients who would benefit from the procedure.
