Craniectomy
- incisionary
- Dec 22, 2025
- 2 min read
A craniectomy refers to a major brain surgery where the surgeon removes a part of your skull in order to gain better access to the brain. It is important to note that during the procedure of a craniectomy, the skull is not replaced, but instead it is done so in the follow up procedure called a cranioplasty. A craniectomy is also known as a decompressive craniectomy, as it is used to relieve swelling, pressure, bleeding, or excretion of extra fluids, all of which are usually caused by a traumatic injury, stroke, blood clot, or hematoma.
As craniectomies are usually emergency surgeries, the surgeon and care team often have limited time for preparation, which includes processes of a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging tests. In the case the surgery is not an emergency, it is also recommended to stop taking any medications and in some cases consume antibiotics and anticonvulsants. Prior to the actual surgical procedure, the surgeon must shave and clean the incision site before making an incision and move muscles and tissue away to clear the scalp. Then, holes are drilled into the skull, for lines can then be cut between each hole to remove a piece of the skull—once removed, the surgeon will have appropriate open space to operate on the brain. This entire process, including treating the brain for the reason a craniectomy was needed, can usually be completed in three to five hours.
Intensive care is required post surgery, including a care team to constantly monitor vital signs and watch out for bleeding or swelling of the brain. During the recovery, the patient is required to wear a helmet to protect the brain (especially the area unprotected by the skull), while the head must be kept upright instead of lying flat even when resting. Moreover, activities such as exercising, manual labor, and driving should not be done, and walking should only take place when the patient has assistance.
As of now, craniectomies are receiving increasing support with current studies suggesting an improvement in both survival rates and outcomes, however, conflicting data about its complications and impact on quality of life of patients demonstrate the need for further clinical trials. At the end of the day, this procedure is a life-saving surgery that is indicated in different situations, especially in patients with TBI, but it is important for it to be further developed, and in the case it is applied to patients, the risks and benefits of the surgical procedure are essential to be conveyed.
by Renee Wang at Incisionary
APA References
Craniectomy: What It Is, Procedure, Recovery & Risks. (2023, April 13). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved December 19, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24901-craniectomy
Vitali, M., Marasco, S., Romenskaya, T., Elia, A., Longhitano, Y., Zanza, C., Abenavoli, L., Scarpellini, E., Bertuccio, A., & Barbanera, A. (2023). Decompressive Craniectomy in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: The Intensivist's Point of View. Diseases (Basel, Switzerland), 11(1), 22.
Retrieved December 19, 2025, from
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