Rozhledy v chirurgii : měsíčník Československé chirurgické společnosti
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Through the decades of its use in the management of neurosurgical emergencies decompressive craniectomy has found its place as a life-saving procedure capable of a radical reduction of the intracranial pressure. Clinical results and rate of survival after decompressive craniectomy vary according to the primary diagnosis, and they have been a subject of multicentric randomized trials. ⋯ The complications may further disturb the postoperative care and convalescence in the surviving patients, and therefore in the salvageable patients the indication of decompressive craniectomy should be based on information about the expected outcome and complications rate, at the same moment prevention, early recognition and adequate therapy of the complications should be emphasized. This work describes the most common complications occurring in patients after decompressive craniectomy, their pathophysiological principles and means of treatment and prevention.