When the practice does not meet the theory: results from an Italian survey on the clini-cal and pathway management of inpatients with decompressive craniectomy or cranioplasty admitted to rehabilitation

Cranioplasty (CP) is supposed to improve the functional outcome of severe acquired brain injury (sABI) patients with decompressive craniectomy (DC). However, ongoing controversies exist regarding its indications, optimum materials, timing, complications, and relationships with hydrocephalus (HC). For these reasons, an International Consensus Conference (ICC) on CP in traumatic brain injury (TBI) was held in June 2018 to issue some recommendations.

AIM: To investigate cross-sectionally before the ICC the prevalence of DC/CP in sABI inpatients admitted to neurorehabilitation units in Italy; to assess the perception of Italian clinicians working in the sABI neurorehabilitation settings on the management of inpatients with DC/CP during their rehabilitation stay.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

SETTING AND POPULATION: Physiatrists or neurologists working in 38 Italian rehabilitation centers involved in the care of sABI, giving a pooled sample of 599 inpatients.

METHODS: Survey questionnaire consisting of 21 closed-ended questions with multiple-choice answers. Sixteen questions regarded the respondents' opinions and experiences regarding the clinical and management aspects of patients. Survey data were collected via e-mail between April and May 2018.