Trial of decompressive craniectomy for traumatic intracranial hypertension

Patients: Aged 10–65 years old with refractory traumatic intracranial hypertension. Intervention: Patients were randomly assigned to either decompressive craniectomy or ongoing medical management (including optional barbiturate therapy). Outcomes: The primary outcome was Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS-E) (see Appendix 1) at six months’ post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes included mortality at 6, 12, and 24 months; GOS-E at 12 and 24 months; quality-of-life at 6, 12, and 24 months; time in ICU; GCS at discharge from ICU; and assessment of ICP control.