Study of the effectiveness of craniotomy on patients with acute post-traumatic brain swelling after severe traumatic brain injury

ISRCTN ISRCTN14110527
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14110527
Secondary identifying numbers 2008R40G2150132
Submission date
10/02/2009
Registration date
03/04/2009
Last edited
04/05/2010
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Wusi Qiu
Scientific

126 Wengzhou Road
Department of Neurosurgery
Hangzhou Second Hospital
College of Medicine
Hangzhou Normal University
Hangzhou
310015
China

Study information

Study designSingle-centre prospective randomised controlled double-blind trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleStudy of the effectiveness of craniotomy (Decompressive Craniectomy [DC] or routine temporoparietal craniectomy) on patients with Acute post-traumatic Brain Swelling after severe traumatic brain injury: a single-centre, prospective randomised, controlled, double-blind trial
Study acronymDCABS
Study objectivesThe aim of the present clinical study was to assess the efficacy of craniotomy, decompressive craniectomy (DC) or routine temporoparietal craniectomy, on patients with acute post-traumatic brain swelling (BS). We assume that DC has superior effectiveness on patients with acute BS after severe traumatic brain injury.
Ethics approval(s)Institutional Review Board and the ethical committees of Clinical Medical College of Hangzhou gave approval on the 1st September 2002 (ref: 200203)
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedAcute post-traumatic brain swelling
InterventionBased on the guidelines for the management of severe head injury set forth by the Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care of the Brain Trauma Foundation and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, all patients underwent lateral craniotomy within 24 hours after injury and other medical management such as dehydration with mannitol (average amount received in subsequent 6-hour period was 20% mannitol 125 ml) and routine pharmacological or physical measures adopted to maintain normal body temperature after diagnosis of post-traumatic BS accordingly.

The surgery mode of DC was elective at the frontoparietotemporal region, based on the lesion location and midline shift determined by CT scans. Briefly, the bone window was about 15 cm in diameter with duraplasty using expanded dura substitute when necessary. The anterior was frontal to the midpupillary lines, and the posterior line was about 3 - 4 cm posterior to the external acustic meatus. The superior line was 2 cm of the lateral edge of the superior sagittal sinus, and the inferior line was extended below the level of the zygomatic arch, so that the frontal and temporal base could be explored. Durotomy was performed over the entire region of bony decompression as a stellate shape. Cranioplasty was performed after 3 months.

Post-operative therapy was similar with those previously described, which included keeping respiratory tract unobstructed (with assisted ventilation to ensure arterial O2 saturation (SaO2) greater than or equal to 95% against hypoxia and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2) maintained near 40mm Hg at 37°C), intubations if necessary, controlling the blood glucose level and body temperature and balancing water and electrolyte, dehydration and diuresis, homeostasis balanced, anti-infection with sensitive antibiotics and so on.

The control group received the unilateral routine temporoparietal craniectomy and the operation site depended on the location of injury and midline shift accordingly. The bone window diametered about 8 cm and the dura mater was also fixed at the edge with duraplasty, and the bone was re-implanted after 3 - 6 months. In the routine craniotomy group, post-operative treatment was similar with those in the DC group.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Intracranial pressure (ICP) - continuous recording of ICP was applied in all patients for 96 hours with the ICP monitor system (Camino-MPM1, Integra LifeSciences CO, USA). A cranial hole was drilled, if necessary, and the drainage catheter was induced 5 cm or so into right lateral ventricles via the level of the anterior horn. The intraventricular (intracerebral) pressure probe (Camino-110-4B) was placed at the level of foramen of Momro during craniotomy.
2. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores, from 1 to 5 respectively, according to: death, vegetable state, severe disability, moderate disability, mild or no disability, evaluated at 1 years follow-up after injury
Secondary outcome measures1. Vital signs (temperature, heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure), arterial oxygen saturation with the multiple monitor (Model NO: 90309, Space Lab, Medical. Inc. USA) recorded every 12 hours for 7 days after craniotomy
2. Complications, mainly inclusive of delayed intracranial haematoma, pulmonary infection, digestive tract haemorrhage, and electrolytes disorders (beyond the normal serum concentrations of Na+, Cl-, Mg2+, K+, P3+ and Ca2+), recorded every 12 hours for 7 days, 24 hours for another 7 days after craniotomy
Overall study start date01/01/2003
Completion date01/12/2008

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants80
Key inclusion criteria1. Aged from 18 to 65 years, either sex
2. A history of traumatic brain injury
3. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) less than or equal to 8 at admission
4. Computed tomography (CT) scans: swollen hemisphere (with midline shift greater than 5 mm, compressed basal cisterns) within 24 hours after trauma
Key exclusion criteria1. Patients younger than 19 or older than 65 years
2. Multiply-injured patients without sufficient resuscitation
3. With any previous disabling neurological disease
4. Intracerebral haematoma of more than 3 cm in diameter
5. Spinal cord injury
6. Penetrating brain injury
7. Fixed dilated pupils and GCS score of 3 with no chance of survival
Date of first enrolment01/01/2003
Date of final enrolment01/12/2008

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • China

Study participating centre

126 Wengzhou Road
Hangzhou
310015
China

Sponsor information

Zhejiang and Hangzhou Health Department (China)
Government

2 Xiaonv Road
Hangzhou
310009
China

Funders

Funder type

Government

Zhejiang and Hangzhou Health Department (China) - Scientific Research Fund (ref: 2009)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/11/2009 Yes No