Early post-operative recovery of consciousness following decompressive craniectomy as a predictor of long-term functional outcome

• DOI: 10.1016/j.bas.2025.104241
• Publication Date: 2025-03-21T16:35:33Z
• Authors: Jari C. Göttgens; Taco Goedemans; Dagmar Verbaan; Bert A. Coert; Bertjan J. Kerklaan; Jonathan M. Coutinho; Janneke Horn; William P. Vandertop; Pepijn van den Mu...
• Keywords: Decompressive craniectomy

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) can be lifesaving, but many survivors do not regain independence in daily life. Recovery of consciousness the first post-operative days is regarded as a prognostic factor, however, literature on relation between early recovery and long-term scarce. To analyse 14 post-DC functional outcome. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) motor (M) scores during 188 consecutive adult patients undergoing DC for various pathologies were retrospectively extracted from hospital records, together with one-year Outcome (GOS) scores. was defined GCS M6. categorised into death (GOS 1), unfavourable survival 2-3), favourable 4-5). Overall, 32 % survived favourably, 21 unfavourably, 47 died. One hundred eight (57 %) regained two weeks. At one year, 53 M6 functionally independent, versus only 4 who did that time-frame (p < 0.001). Chances independent significantly higher ≤50 years old than >50 (71 27 %, p Long-term outcome differed considerably when assorted consciousness, especially age. These results may serve to better inform family members counselling.