What is a hemicraniectomy?
A hemicraniectomy is one of the most effective ways of relieving massive brain swelling. This surgical procedure, which is performed in the operating room under anesthesia, consists of temporarily removing a portion of the skull (sometimes up to one half or more) in order to allow the swollen brain to expand beyond the confines of the skull bone, without causing further elevations in brain pressure. The part of the skull bone that is removed is typically frozen until the swelling has resolved, at which point it can be sutured back onto its original place.