Optimal Timing of Cranioplasty After Decompressive Craniectomy: Timing or Collapse Ratio

Operative Neurosurgery 27:715–723, 2024

Although cranioplasty (CP) is a relatively straightforward surgical procedure, it is associated with a high complication rate. The optimal timing for this surgery remains undetermined. This study aimed to identify the most suitable timing for CP to minimize postoperative complications.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all CP cases performed in our department from August 2015 to March 2022. Data were gathered through case statistics and categorized based on the occurrence of complications. The collapse ratio was determined using 3-dimensional Slicer software.

RESULTS: In our retrospective study of 266 patients, 51 experienced postoperative complications, including hydrocephalus, epidural effusion, subdural hematoma, epilepsy, and subcutaneous infection. Logistic regression analysis identified independent predictors of postcranioplasty complications, and a nomogram was developed. The predictive value of the logistic regression model, collapse ratio, and decompression craniotomy-CP operation interval for post–skull repair complications was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. No significant differences were observed in postoperative complications and decompression craniotomy-CP intervals between the groups (P = .07, P > .05). However, significant differences were noted in postoperative collapse ratios and CP complications between the groups (P = .023, P < .05). Logistic regression revealed that the collapse ratio (odds ratio = 1.486; 95% CI: 1.001-2.008; P = .01) and CP operation time (odds ratio = 1.017; 95% CI: 1.008-1.025, P < .001) were independent risk factors for postoperative complications. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the collapse ratio could predict CP postoperative complications, with a cutoff value of 0.274, an area under the curve of 0.621, a sensitivity of 62.75%, and a specificity of 63.26%.

CONCLUSION: The post–skull repair collapse ratio is a significant predictor of postoperative complications. It is advisable to base the timing of surgery on the extent of brain tissue collapse, rather than solely on the duration between cranial decompression and CP.

Complications associated with early cranioplasty for patients with traumatic brain injury

J Neurosurg 137:776–781, 2022

Cranioplasty is a technically simple procedure, although one with potentially high rates of complications. The ideal timing of cranioplasty should minimize the risk of complications, but research investigating cranioplasty timing and risk of complications has generated diverse findings. Previous studies have included mixed populations of patients undergoing cranioplasty following decompression for traumatic, vascular, and other cerebral insults, making results challenging to interpret. The objective of the current study was to examine rates of complications associated with cranioplasty, specifically for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) receiving this procedure at the authors’ high-volume level 1 trauma center over a 25-year time period.

METHODS A single-institution retrospective review was conducted of patients undergoing cranioplasty after decompression for trauma. Patients were identified and clinical and demographic variables obtained from 2 neurotrauma databases. Patients were categorized into 3 groups based on timing of cranioplasty: early (≤ 90 days after craniectomy), intermediate (91–180 days after craniectomy), and late (> 180 days after craniectomy). In addition, a subgroup analysis of complications in patients with TBI associated with ultra-early cranioplasty (< 42 days, or 6 weeks, after craniectomy) was performed.

RESULTS Of 435 patients identified, 141 patients underwent early cranioplasty, 187 patients received intermediate cranioplasty, and 107 patients underwent late cranioplasty. A total of 54 patients underwent ultra-early cranioplasty. Among the total cohort, the mean rate of postoperative hydrocephalus was 2.8%, the rate of seizure was 4.6%, the rate of postoperative hematoma was 3.4%, and the rate of infection was 6.0%. The total complication rate for the entire population was 16.8%. There was no significant difference in complications between any of the 3 groups. No significant differences in postoperative complications were found comparing the ultra-early cranioplasty group with all other patients combined.

CONCLUSIONS In this cohort of patients with TBI, early cranioplasty, including ultra-early procedures, was not associated with higher rates of complications. Early cranioplasty may confer benefits such as shorter or fewer hospitalizations, decreased financial burden, and overall improved recovery, and should be considered based on patient-specific factors.

 

Intracerebral Hemorrhage Volume Reduction and Timing of Intervention Versus Functional Benefit and Survival in the MISTIE III and STICH Trials

Neurosurgery 88:961–970, 2021

The extent of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) removal conferred survival and functional benefits in the minimally invasive surgery with thrombolysis in intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation (MISTIE) III trial. It is unclear whether this similarly impacts outcome with craniotomy (open surgery) or whether timing from ictus to intervention influences outcome with either procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To compare volume evacuation and timing of surgery in relation to outcomes in the MISTIE III and STICH (Surgical Trial in Intracerebral Hemorrhage) trials.

METHODS: Postoperative scans were performed in STICH II, but not in STICH I; therefore, surgical MISTIE III cases with lobar hemorrhages (n = 84) were compared to STICH II all lobar cases (n = 259) for volumetric analyses. All MISTIE III surgical patients (n = 240) were compared to both STICH I and II (n = 722) surgical patients for timing analyses. These were investigated using cubic spline modeling and multivariate risk adjustment.

RESULTS: End-of-treatment ICH volume≤28.8mLin MISTIE III and≤30.0mLin STICH II had increased probability of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0 to 3 at 180 d (P = .01 and P = .003, respectively). The effect in the MISTIE cohort remained significant after multivariate risk adjustments. Earlier surgery within 62 h of ictus had a lower probability of achieving an mRS 0 to 3 at 180 d with STICH I and II (P = .0004), but not with MISTIE III. This remained significant with multivariate risk adjustments. There was no impact of timing until intervention on mortality up to 47 h with either procedure.

CONCLUSION: Thresholds of ICH removal influenced outcome with both procedures to a similar extent. There was a similar likelihood of achieving a good outcome with both procedures within a broad therapeutic time window.

Impact of Timing of Intervention Among 397 Consecutively Treated Brainstem Cavernous Malformations

Neurosurgery 81:620–626, 2017

Surgical resection of brainstem cavernous malformations (BSCMs) is challenging, and patient selection and timing of intervention remain controversial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of surgical timing and predictors of neurological outcome after surgical resection of BSCMs.

METHODS: Consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) with BSCMs undergoing surgical resection between 1985 and 2014 by the senior author (RFS)were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, lesion characteristics, imaging results, surgical approach, and perioperative and long-term neurological morbidity were analyzed.

RESULTS: Data were analyzed for a total of 397 adult patients (160, 40% male).On univariate analysis, a greater proportion of patients treated within 6 weeks of hemorrhage had an improved Glasgow Outcome Scale score (P = .06). On logistic regression analysis, patients treated within 6weeks of hemorrhage experienced improved clinical outcomes (odds ratio = 1.73; 95% confidence interval = 1.06-2.83; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS: Although BSCM surgery is associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality, favorable long-term hemorrhage rates and symptom resolution can be achieved in a carefully selected group of patients. Overall, patients treated acutely, within 6 weeks, benefited the most from surgical intervention.

The Effect of Timing of Concurrent Chemoradiation in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

Relationship of glioblastoma multiforme to the subventricular zone is associated with survival

Neurosurgery 77:248–253, 2015

The effect of timing of initiation of concurrent radiation and chemotherapy after surgery on outcome of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE: To further explore this issue, we analyzed 4 clinical trials for patients newly diagnosed with GBM receiving concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide.

METHODS: The cohort study included 198 adult patients with newly diagnosed supratentorial GBM who were enrolled from 2004 to 2010 in 4 clinical trials consisting of radiation plus temozolomide and an experimental agent. The interval to initiation of therapy was determined from the time of surgical resection. The partitioning deletion/ substitution/addition algorithm was used to determine the cutoff points for timing of chemoradiation at which there was a significant difference in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS: The median wait time between surgery and initiation of concurrent chemoradiation was 29.5 days (range, 7-56 days). A short delay in chemoradiation administration (at 30-34 days) was predictive of prolonged OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.63, P = .03) and prolonged PFS (HR: 0.68, P = .06) compared with early initiation of concurrent chemoradiation (<30 days), after adjusting for protocol and baseline prognostic variables including extent of resection by multivariate analysis. A longer delay to chemoradiation beyond 34 days was not associated with improved OS or PFS compared with early initiation (HR: 0.94, P = .77 and HR: 0.91, P = .63, respectively).

CONCLUSION: A short delay in the start of concurrent chemoradiation is beyond the classic paradigm of 4 weeks post-resection and may be associated with prolonged OS and PFS.