Decompressive hemicraniectomy versus medical treatment for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction: Eleven years experience in a Tunisian center

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) versus medical treatment alone for malignant middle Cerebral Artery infarction (MMCAI) and to define factors associated with mortality in the surgery group. MethodsWe conducted a monocenter retrospective study over 11 years including patients with MMCAI. We compared the surgery group versus the no-surgery group. Mortality was assessed at discharge. Functional outcomes were measured at discharge and after 90 days with the modified Rankin Scale. ResultsWe included 55 patients, 27 patients in the surgery group and 28 patients in the no-surgery group. Mortality at discharge was lower in the surgery group than in the no-surgery group 55.55% vs 64.28% but without statistical significance (p =0.58). Survivors have poorer outcome mRS (4-5) in the surgery group than the no-surgery group 44.44% vs 25% without significant difference (p = 0.17). At 90 days, mRS scores of 0 and 1 were not observed, and a score of 2 was observed in only 2 patients (3.6%) in the no-surgery group. mRS score of 3 was observed in 2 patients (3.6%) in the no-surgery group. We noted that patients in the surgery group had an increased number of patients with mRS 4 from 9 to 11 and decreased the number of patients with mRS 5 from 3 to 1. The independent factors associated with mortality in surgery group were age ≥60 years (p = 0.017, OR = 0.46, CI95% (0.04–0.57)) and choc (p = 0.036, OR = 0.96, CI95% (0.11–0.86)). ConclusionDHC decreased mortality risk in a patient with MMCAI but without statistically significant differences and it was associated with poor functional outcomes.