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Decompressive craniectomy for the treatment of malignant middle cerebral artery infarction.

Kapil Mohan RajwaniMatthew CrockerBarry Moynihan
Published in: British journal of neurosurgery (2017)
In patients 60 years of age or younger, DC within 48 hours of stroke onset significantly reduced risk of death and major disability (mRS >3) compared to maximal medical therapy only. In older patients (>60 years) DC also significantly improved survival but the majority of survivors were left with major disability (mRS 4-5). DC performed more than 48 hours after symptom onset does not appear to be superior to best medical management. The decision to perform decompressive surgery needs to be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the degree of disability patients and their carers are willing to accept.
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