Effect of early cranioplasty on the prognosis of patients with brain injury and intracerebral hemorrhage hundergoing decompressive craniectomy

Objective To study the effect of early cranioplasty on neurological deficit scores and complications in patients with brain injury and cerebral hemorrhage before and after decompressive craniectomy. Methods Seventy-six patients with brain injury and cerebral hemorrhage who underwent decompressive craniectomy from January 2016 to May 2018 in Shajing People’s Hospital of Baoan District of Shenzhen City were selected as the research subjects. The patients were divided into early group and control group by random number table. The early group was implemented cranioplasty within 4-6 weeks after decompressive craniectomy. Cranioplasty was performed in the control group 3-6 months after operation. The scores of preoperative and postoperative National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), postoperative complications, ability of daily living score (ADL) and limb motor function score (Fugl-Meyer) were compared between the two groups. Results There was no significant statistical difference in NIHSS score, ADL score and Fugl-Meyer score between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After treatment, the NIHSS scores of both groups decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the NIHSS scores of the early group were significantly lower than those of the control group; the ADL scores and Fugl-Meyer scores of the early group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05); and the incidence of complications of the early group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Early cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy of patients with craniocerebral trauma can significantly improve the neurological deficits and reduce the incidence of complications. It has a positive impact on the clinical treatment and prognosis of patients with craniocerebral trauma. Key words: Early cranioplasty; Decompressive craniectomy; Brain injury; Cerebral hemorrhage; Neurological deficits