What does craniectomy mean?
A craniectomy is a neurosurgical operation in which a section of the skull is removed and intentionally not replaced during the same procedure. The aim is usually decompression: when traumatic injury, stroke, or infection causes the brain to swell inside the rigid bony vault of the skull, removing a flap of bone gives the swollen tissue room to expand without being crushed, helping to prevent further damage or death. It contrasts with the more familiar craniotomy, in which a bone flap is lifted out temporarily and secured back in place once the intracranial work is finished. Because leaving the skull open carries risks of infection and injury to the exposed brain, patients who recover often later undergo a cranioplasty, in which the missing piece is reconstructed with their own stored bone or a synthetic implant such as titanium or acrylic. The term belongs chiefly to clinical vocabulary, appearing in surgical reports, consent discussions, and medical journalism rather than casual conversation.
nounA craniectomy is a surgical operation in which part of the skull (a flap or section of bone) is removed and, unlike in a craniotomy, is deliberately not replaced. It is typically performed to relieve pressure on the brain after trauma, stroke, or swelling.
- The surgical removal of a portion of the skull without immediate replacement of the removed bone, usually performed to relieve intracranial pressure.
"After the severe head injury caused uncontrollable swelling, the neurosurgeon performed a decompressive craniectomy."
"The patient underwent an emergency decompressive craniectomy to relieve pressure from the traumatic brain injury."
"Months after the craniectomy, she returned to theatre for a custom titanium implant to close the defect."
Standard English plural, replacing final '-y' with '-ies'.
"The unit recorded twelve decompressive craniectomies over the winter."
In a craniectomy, surgeons deliberately leave a hole in your skull — sometimes for months — just so the brain has somewhere to swell.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of craniectomy
Craniectomy derives from Greek roots via New Latin medical coinage: 'kranion' meaning skull, combined with '-ektomia' meaning cutting out (from 'ek-', out, and 'temnein', to cut). The pattern follows other surgical excision terms formed with the suffix -ectomy. Its closest sibling is craniotomy, which uses the Greek 'tomia' (cutting) to describe incising into rather than excising part of the skull.
How craniectomy is actually used
Strictly a medical/surgical term used by clinicians; laypeople more often say 'brain surgery'. In everyday speech 'craniectomy' and 'craniotomy' are frequently conflated, but in neurosurgical practice they denote distinct procedures. The adjective form most often seen is 'decompressive', describing the main indication for the operation.
Easily confused with craniectomy
In a craniotomy a piece of skull is temporarily removed and put back at the end of the operation, whereas in a craniectomy the bone is left off to give the swollen brain room.
A cranioplasty is the reconstructive procedure that repairs or fills the skull defect left by a prior craniectomy.