[Decompressive craniectomy in children and adolescents with head injury: analysis of seven cases].
BACKGROUND
Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a surgical technique used to treat patients with elevated intracranial pressure often found in head injury. Its indication remains a controversial issue in the pediatric population.


OBJECTIVE
To report seven cases managed with this technique.


METHODS
Retrospective study of seven patients, aged from 2 to 17 years, treated with unilateral DC due to increased intracranial pressure (ICP) as a consequence of head injury. All patients had ICP monitored post operatively and the DC classified as ultra-early (<6h), early (6-12h) or late (>24h) according to the time of its application. The minimum follow-up was six months.


RESULTS
Patients were evaluated with CT scans and clinical exams, and graded according the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Three patients deceased (GOS1), one was in vegetative state (GOS2), two recovered but still requiring nursing care (GOS3 and 4), and one had a full recovery (GOS5) at hospital discharge. After six months the GOS2 and a GOS3 patients achieved full recovery (GOS5). Subdural collection (2), hydrocephalus (1) and superficial infection (1) occurred as complication. Two patients had autologous cranioplasty and the other two heterologous cranioplasty.


CONCLUSIONS
Decompressive craniectomy remains a feasible treatment method to lower the ICP, but is not safe from complications. A multicentric study should be done for appropriate protocol treatment of pediatric patients.
Faleiro
Rodrigo Moreira
RM
Hospital Pronto Socorro João XXIII, Rua Timbiras 3642/801, 30140-062 Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil. rfaleiro@brfree.com.br
Faleiro
Luiz Carlos Mendes
LC
Oliveira
Marcelo Magaldi
MM
Silva
Tiago
T
Caetano
Elisa Costa
EC
Gomide
Isabela
I
Pita
Cristina Carneiro
CC
Lopes
Gustavo
G
Gusmão
Sebastião
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006801:Humans; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome