The large ischemic cerebral infarction (LICI) is a brain supply loss of a large area in the brain, mainly on the middle cerebral artery. Is possible that evolutes a major edema, intracranial hypertension and death in about 80% of the cases. OBJECTIVE: To avaliate the results of a descompressive craniectomy on the treatment of the secundary intracranial hypertension to LICI, comparing to other results of medical literature already published. METHOD: Were analysed 34 pacients diagnosed with LICI clinically treated unsuccesfully that needed forther on the decompressive craniectomy treatment, for the control of intracranial hypertension. RESULTS: 8 pacients (23.52%) died, 26 (76.47%) survived, and 2 (7.70%) developed a vegetative state condition. CONCLUSION: The factors age over 50 years and male gender were associated with a high death risk. The level of consciousness at admission and bone flap area were nearer the values of statistic significance.
brain edema; cerebral infarction; decompressive craniectomy
