P.075 Rates of infection following craniotomy or craniectomy with subsequent cranioplasty in traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Background: Postoperative infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients who undergo craniotomy and/or craniectomy. Data on the rates of infections associated with these procedures are limited. We present a single-center retrospective study on the rates of infection in post-traumatic craniotomies, craniectomies and cranioplasties. Methods: Data on 100 TBI adult patients who underwent a craniotomy, craniectomy and/or cranioplasty from 2011-2015 will be analyzed. Demographic and perioperative data including open/closed TBI, peri/postoperative infections, duration of procedure, type and mode of bone flap preservation will be retrieved. Results: Following our data collection (to be completed by the end of February), we expect infection rates of 3-20% in our study. Upon instituting a protocol similar to the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network’s (HCRN) ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP) protocol, we hope to reduce our post-TBI craniotomy/craniectomy/cranioplasty infections rates to less than 10%. Our projection is based on the HCRN protocol’s 3.15% absolute risk reduction of VP shunt infections. Conclusions: The results of this study will emphasize the need for instituting robust perioperative protocols to reduce infections. Further research will be pursued following this study to establish a protocol similar to the VP shunt protocol from the HCRN, in an attempt to reduce perioperative rates of infection.