Abstract
PURPOSE: In the paediatric age group, the overall degree of evidence regarding decompressive craniectomy (DC) and cranioplasty is low, whereas in adults, randomised controlled trials and prospective multicentre registries are available. To improve the evidence-based treatment of children, a consensus was reached to establish a prospective registry under the auspices of the European Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (ESPN). METHODS: This international multicentre prospective registry is aimed at collecting information on the indication, timing, technique and outcome of DC and cranioplasty in children. The registry will enrol patients ≤ 16 years of age at the time of surgery, irrespective of the underlying medical condition. The study design comprises four obligatory entry points as a core dataset, with an unlimited number of further follow-up entry points to allow documentation until adolescence or adulthood. Study centres should commit to complete data entry and long-term follow-up. RESULTS: Data collection will be performed via a web-based portal (homepage: www.pedccr.com ) in a central anonymised database after local ethics board approval. An ESPN steering committee will monitor the project's progress, coordinate analyses of data and presentation of results at conferences and in publications on behalf of the study group. CONCLUSION: The registry aims to define predictors for optimal medical care and patient-centred treatment outcomes. The ultimate goal of the registry is to generate results that are so relevant to be directly transferred into clinical practice to enhance treatment protocols.