Factors Affecting Functional Outcome after Decompressive Craniectomy Performed for Traumatic Brain Injury: A Retrospective, Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Factors affecting functional outcome after decompressive craniectomy (DC) performed for traumatic brain injury (TBI) remain poorly understood. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all patients who underwent primary DC for TBI at our hospital between 2010 and 2014. Multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of functional outcome and overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients with severe (n = 81, 82.6%) or moderate (n = 17, 17.4%) TBI underwent primary DC and were included in this study. The 30-day and overall mortality rates were 15.3% and 25.5%, respectively. At a median follow-up of 90 (interquartile range (IQR): 38–180) days, median Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) and Glasgow outcome scale-extended (GOSE) scores were 50 (IQR: 20–70) and 5 (IQR: 3–7), respectively. Young age and severe TBI were predictors of mortality. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score on discharge was a strong predictor of KPS and GOSE scores. CONCLUSION: Primary DC afforded an acceptable functional outcome (GOSE score ≥5) in 45.9% of patients. Young age and lower GCS at presentation were associated with worse survival. GCS score on discharge was a strong predictor of functional outcome.