Etymed
craniectomy
Definition
Surgical removal of a portion of the skull
Clinical context
A 32-year-old man presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident with severe head trauma. Imaging reveals a large epidural hematoma with significant mass effect. The neurosurgical team performs a craniectomy to relieve intracranial pressure and allow brain swelling. The patient's condition stabilizes post-operatively, and the bone flap is later reimplanted once the swelling resolves.
Mnemonic
Craniectomy = Cranium removed for Cerebral relief