Lifting the lid on a ‘proven therapy’
According to an editorial in the NEJM, decompressive craniectomy "has a proven benefit in the management of malignant cerebral edema after ischemic stroke”... We point out the caveats to this assertion.
GENERAL APPROACH Phase of injury— Acute: ileus, cardiovascular, ventilation— Sub-acute: recurrent atelectasis and segmental collapse— Chronic: pain, psychological issues, infection (uro, resp, pressure areas), autonomic dysreflexia, spasm. Stability of spine Tracheostomy Other injuries INTRODUCTION CUBICLE Edgerton spinal bed until spine…