The impact of early cranioplasty on neurological function, stress response, and cognitive function in traumatic brain injury.

To analyze the efficacy of early cranioplasty in patients with traumatic brain injury and its impact on neurological function, stress response, and cognitive function. A total of 90 patients with traumatic brain injury admitted to the hospital from January 2021 to March 2024 were included in the study. The patients were divided into an observation group (45 cases) and a control group (45 cases) based on the timing of their cranioplasty. The control group underwent cranioplasty 3 to 6 months post-trauma, while the observation group received cranioplasty within 3 months post-trauma. Neurological function was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Functional Independence Measure, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination. Blood samples were collected to measure and compare serum levels of interleukin-6, cortisol, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha between the 2 groups. The observation group demonstrated a higher rate of excellent recovery compared to the control group (95.56% vs 80.00%), with significantly lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores ([11.18 ± 2.35] vs [14.74 ± 3.61], P < .05). Posttreatment scores for Functional Independence Measure, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination were significantly higher in the observation group compared to the control group ([59.26 ± 6.12] vs [47.86 ± 5.27], [25.02 ± 4.61] vs [22.74 ± 5.13], [103.52 ± 10.63] vs [88.76 ± 7.39], P < .05). Serum levels of interleukin-6, cortisol, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly lower in the observation group ([22.76 ± 4.15] ng/mL vs [25.38 ± 5.27] ng/mL, [66.29 ± 4.91] nmol/L vs [78.24 ± 6.08] nmol/L, [3.36 ± 1.02] ng/mL vs [4.91 ± 0.98] ng/mL, P < .05). The total incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower in the observation group (8.70% vs 26.09%, P < .05). Early cranioplasty is beneficial for the postoperative recovery of patients with traumatic brain injury. It improves neurological function, enhances cognitive function, and reduces stress response, while also significantly lowering the incidence of postoperative complications.