Background- Decompressive craniectomy is a common procedure for traumatic brain injury to reduce ICP. It is associated with less number of mortality with increased morbidity. Procedure itself associated with numerous complications which needs special attention. Methodology- A prospective study was carried out in the Department of Neurosurgery of a tertiary care centre for 1 year on 190 patients undergoingdecompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury. Patients underwent decompression craniectomy were followed for 1 week, 1 month, 3-month, 6 months. Complications noted and outcome of the patients were assessed using the extended Glasgow Outcome Scale.The statistical analysis was done using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Version 23.0 Statistical Analyses Software. Results- 190 patients were evaluated. Mean age of patients in this study was 38 years which ranges from 2 to 75 years.Thecommonest CT abnormality on the post-operative CT scan was External cerebral Herniation in 44 (23.2%) patients, followed by infarct in 22 (11.5%), abdominal flap infection in 21 (11.1%). 82 (43.1%) patients expired 83(43.7%) patients were discharged. Age categories, gender, mode of injury, time since injury, CT findings did not affect outcome. Severe GCS (<=8) at admission (p<0.001), obliterated/compressed basal cisternae (p<0.0001), presence of external cerebral herniation (p-0.0001) and midline shift (p<0.001) affected outcome. Conclusion- External cerebral herniation, infarct and hematoma expansion are one the most commonly seen complications after traumatic DC. GCS at admission, status of cisternae (obliterated/compressed), complications like external cerebral herniation and midline shift of cranial structures affects outcome.

Craniectomy, head injury, traumatic brain injury, Decompressive Craniectomy, Complications