Research Article

Decompressive Craniectomy After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Experience

Volume: 52 January 28, 2026
TR EN

Decompressive Craniectomy After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Experience

Abstract

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a life-saving intervention for malignant cerebral edema following large territorial infarctions. While numerous studies demonstrate reduced mortality with DC, most data are derived from patients who did not receive reperfusion therapy. Outcomes in patients undergoing DC after reperfusion remain insufficiently characterized. This study presents our clinical experience in this population, focusing on demographics, clinical course, complications, and prognostic factors. We retrospectively analyzed 33 patients with acute ischemic stroke treated at Bursa City Hospital between July 2020 and January 2025. All underwent intravenous thrombolysis, endovascular therapy, or both, followed by DC during Neurology Intensive Care Unit stay. Functional outcomes were assessed at 90 days using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The mean age was 64.3 ± 14.4 years, and successful recanalization (≥ mTICI 2b) was achieved in 90.3% of cases. Hemorrhagic transformation occurred in 81%, with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in 60.6%. DC was performed within 48 hours in 78.7% of patients. At 3-month follow-up, mortality was 48.4%, and all survivors had severe disability (mRS 4–5). Compared with historical data from patients who did not receive reperfusion therapy, the absence of favorable outcomes in our cohort may relate to the high rate of hemorrhagic transformation after reperfusion, potentially exerting a detrimental effect on neurological recovery. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to determine which patients who underwent reperfusion therapy may derive meaningful benefit from DC.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Intensive Care, Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 28, 2026

Submission Date

August 7, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 30, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 52

APA
Koç Yamanyar, G., Haki, C., Çetiner, M. Z., Aydın, G., & Kamisli, S. (2026). Decompressive Craniectomy After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Experience. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty, 52, 1734469. https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1734469
AMA
1.Koç Yamanyar G, Haki C, Çetiner MZ, Aydın G, Kamisli S. Decompressive Craniectomy After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Experience. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty. 2026;52:1734469. doi:10.32708/uutfd.1734469
Chicago
Koç Yamanyar, Gülçin, Cemile Haki, Mehmet Ziya Çetiner, Gizem Aydın, and Suat Kamisli. 2026. “Decompressive Craniectomy After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Experience”. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty 52 (January): 1734469. https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1734469.
EndNote
Koç Yamanyar G, Haki C, Çetiner MZ, Aydın G, Kamisli S (January 1, 2026) Decompressive Craniectomy After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Experience. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty 52 1734469.
IEEE
[1]G. Koç Yamanyar, C. Haki, M. Z. Çetiner, G. Aydın, and S. Kamisli, “Decompressive Craniectomy After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Experience”, Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty, vol. 52, p. 1734469, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.32708/uutfd.1734469.
ISNAD
Koç Yamanyar, Gülçin - Haki, Cemile - Çetiner, Mehmet Ziya - Aydın, Gizem - Kamisli, Suat. “Decompressive Craniectomy After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Experience”. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty 52 (January 1, 2026): 1734469. https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1734469.
JAMA
1.Koç Yamanyar G, Haki C, Çetiner MZ, Aydın G, Kamisli S. Decompressive Craniectomy After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Experience. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty. 2026;52:1734469.
MLA
Koç Yamanyar, Gülçin, et al. “Decompressive Craniectomy After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Experience”. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty, vol. 52, Jan. 2026, p. 1734469, doi:10.32708/uutfd.1734469.
Vancouver
1.Gülçin Koç Yamanyar, Cemile Haki, Mehmet Ziya Çetiner, Gizem Aydın, Suat Kamisli. Decompressive Craniectomy After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Experience. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty. 2026 Jan. 1;52:1734469. doi:10.32708/uutfd.1734469

ISSN: 1300-414X, e-ISSN: 2645-9027

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Journal of Uludag University Medical Faculty is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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