Sudden death following cranioplasty: a complication of decompressive craniectomy for head injury.

This report details three cases of massive post-operative cerebral swelling following autologous cranioplasty. All three patients had a bifrontal decompressive craniectomy for intractably raised intracranial pressure following severe neurotrauma, developed hydrocephalus necessitating shunt insertion and were making a poor neurological recovery.