Decompressive craniectomy for severe head injury in patients with major extracranial injuries

Neurosurgical therapy aims to minimize secondary brain damage after a severe head injury. This includes the evacuation of intracranial space-occupying hematomas, the reduction of intracranial volumes, external ventricular drainage, and aggressive therapy in order to influence increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and decreased P(ti)O2. When conservative treatment fails, a decompressive craniectomy might be successful in lowering ICP.