Factors Contributing to Patient Outcome after Decompressive Craniectomy in Traumatic and Non-Traumatic Cases

Abstract

Background: Decompressive craniectomy is an invasive procedure performed to reduce intracranial pressure. Inconsistent research results regarding the effectiveness of decompressive craniectomy are caused by various factors that are believed to play a role in patient outcomes after decompressive craniectomy. This study aims to determine the factors that play a role in patient outcomes after decompressive craniectomy in traumatic cases and in non-traumatic cases.

Methods: This study is an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional approach. A total of 40 secondary data from postoperative decompressive craniectomy patients were included in this study. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 with univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis.

Results: Age and gender factors were not associated with patient outcomes after decompressive craniectomy in traumatic and non-traumatic cases. Clinical factors, initial GCS, and preoperative pupil diameter were shown to be unrelated to patient outcomes after decompressive craniectomy in traumatic cases. The time interval factor between trauma and decompressive craniectomy was also shown to be unrelated to patient outcomes after decompressive craniectomy in both traumatic and non-traumatic cases. The presence of comorbidities was also shown to be unrelated to patient outcomes after decompressive craniectomy in both traumatic and non-traumatic cases. Clinical factors and initial GCS showed a relationship with patient outcomes after decompressive craniectomy in non-traumatic cases.

Conclusion: Age, gender, initial GCS, pupil diameter, the time interval of trauma and decompressive craniectomy surgery, and comorbidities are not associated with patient outcomes after decompressive craniectomy. In non-traumatic cases, only initial GCS was associated with patient outcomes after decompressive craniectomy.