Effect of Decompressive Hemicraniectomy in Patients with Acute Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction.

AIM We aimed to determine in which cases this procedure may be more effective based on the data of patients who underwent decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC). MATERIAL AND METHODS Overall, 47 patients who underwent DHC due to acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction between January 2014 and january 2019 were retrospectively investigated. These patients were divided into two groups: those who died after DHC (Group A) and those who survived DHC (Group B). The groups were compared in terms of various parameters. We investigated whether the patient?s Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) status changed depending on age (>60 and 60 years who underwent DHC for MCA infraction was 61.5% and 26.5%, respectively (p=0,041). The median mRS of patients 60 years were 4(1-6) and 6(1-6), respectively(p=0,018). CONCLUSION Age, DHC timing, and elapsed time until hospitalization or access to treatment directly affect the functional outcome and survival in MCA-infarcted patients who underwent DHC. In patients in whom the medical treatment fails, early DHC administration will increase survival without waiting for neurological worsening once herniation is detected radiologically.