Decompression Craniectomy Treatment in India
About Decompression Craniectomy
Key Highlights
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Life-saving intervention for severe brain swelling and high intracranial pressure.Helps prevent permanent brain damage and brainstem herniation.Can improve survival rates and long-term neurological outcomes in critical cases.Creates space for the brain to swell, reducing pressure on vital structures.Often a necessary step to allow other treatments (like medication) to work effectively.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with refractory intracranial hypertension.
- Malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction (a large, life-threatening stroke).
- Severe cerebral edema (swelling) from other causes like encephalitis or metabolic disorders.
- Large intracerebral hemorrhage with significant mass effect and swelling.
- Refractory elevated ICP that does not respond to maximal medical therapy.
- Impending or established brainstem herniation.
How to prepare
- Emergency stabilization: Immediate focus is on securing airway, breathing, and circulation.
- Neurological assessment: Rapid evaluation using tools like the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and imaging (CT scan).
- ICP monitoring: Often, a device is placed to continuously measure pressure inside the skull.
- Medical management: Administration of medications (like mannitol, hypertonic saline) to reduce swelling.
- Informed consent: When possible, the urgent nature and risks of the procedure are explained to the patient's family.
- Pre-operative tests: Blood tests, coagulation profile, and cross-matching for potential blood transfusion.
Risks & possible complications
- Standard surgical risks: Infection, bleeding (hematoma), and adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Neurological deficits: Potential for new or worsening weakness, speech problems, or vision changes.
- Hydrocephalus: Accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid requiring a shunt procedure.
- Syndrome of the trephined: Neurological symptoms that may occur before the skull is replaced.
- Bone flap infection or resorption when it is stored or later re-implanted.
- Cosmetic concerns related to the skull defect, which is later addressed with cranioplasty.
- Persistent vegetative state or severe disability, often related to the initial brain injury.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay: The patient is closely monitored for neurological changes, ICP, and vital signs.
- Management of swelling: Continued use of medications and careful fluid balance.
- Wound care: Keeping the surgical site clean and dry to prevent infection.
- Rehabilitation: Early involvement of physical, occupational, and speech therapists to aid recovery.
- Protection of the skull defect: Wearing a protective helmet when out of bed until cranioplasty is performed.
- Long-term follow-up: Regular neurosurgical check-ups to plan for the subsequent cranioplasty surgery.
- Ongoing neurological and cognitive rehabilitation, which may be extensive.
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Typical hospital stay:
10-21 days (including ICU)
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Expected recovery time:
3-6 months for initial recovery; full rehabilitation can take 12+ months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering decompression craniectomy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for decompression craniectomy in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Cytecare Hospital, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform decompression craniectomy. MediFyr helps you compare neurosurgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for decompression craniectomy compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 250 Thousand – 800 Thousand | 10-21 days (including ICU) | ~ 3-6 months for initial recovery; full rehabilitation can take 12+ months | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 875 Thousand – 2.8 Million | 10-21 days (including ICU) | ~ 3-6 months for initial recovery; full rehabilitation can take 12+ months | Know More |
Top hospitals for Decompression Craniectomy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurosurgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing decompression craniectomy.
Hyderabad, India
67 Doctors
Vikram Patel, a 42-year-old software engineer...
Vikram Patel, a 42-year-old software engineer and father of two, was an avid cyclist. He was struck by a car during his morning commute. Rushed to the ER with a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), a CT scan revealed a rapidly expanding subdural hematoma with dangerous swelling. His neurosurgeon, Dr. Chen, explained that Vikram's brain was being crushed against his own skull, and a decompressive craniectomy was the only way to save his life. The procedure involved removing a section of his skull to allow the swollen brain room to expand. Post-surgery, Vikram spent weeks in the Neuro-ICU, sedated and on a ventilator. His recovery was long and arduous, involving months of intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy to relearn basic functions. Emotionally, he grappled with frustration and depression over his lost independence and cognitive fog. A year later, after a successful cranioplasty to replace the bone flap, Vikram walks with a cane, has returned to part-time work, and cherishes every moment with his family, though he carries a profound awareness of his mortality and a deep gratitude for his second chance.
Neurosurgeons for Decompression Craniectomy
Explore experienced neurosurgeons who regularly perform decompression craniectomy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 18 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 22 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 29 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 17 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 15 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada