Caen.
Nice.
Since 2000 in France, decompressive craniectomy has been increasingly performed for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MCI) regardless of age. However, in-hospital mortality remains considerable, as about one-quarter of patients died within the first weeks. For those who survive beyond 6 months, the risk of death significantly decreases. Early mortality is especially high for comatose patients above 60 years operated in inexperienced centers. Most of those who remain in good functional status tend to undergo a cranioplasty within the year following DC 1).