Table 1.

Overview of RCTs investigating the role of DC in malignant MCA infarction. Basic study characteristics were extracted from the corresponding publications. Patient age and timing of randomization or timing of DC after stroke onset are compared between the protocol and actual findings. Information of treatment arms and primary end point is provided

Study	Age [years] (inclusion criteria/actual mean age)	Timing of randomization or DC after stroke onset [h] (protocol/actual mean time)	Treatment arms	Results for good outcome (mRS 0–3) and mortality in surgical vs. conservative arms
Jüttler (DESTINY) [25]	18–60/43.2	< 36/24.4	Hemicraniectomy vs. detailed conservative treatment protocol	47% vs. 27% 18% vs. 53% at 6 months
Vahedi (DECIMAL) [26]	18–55/43.5	< 30/20.5	Hemicraniectomy vs. detailed conservative treatment protocol	25% vs. 6% 25% vs. 78% at 6 months
Hofmeijer (HAMLET) [27]	18–60/50.0	< 96/41	Hemicraniectomy vs. detailed conservative treatment protocol	25% vs. 25% 22% vs. 50% at 12 months
Slezins [28]	≥ 18/57.2	< 48/21	Hemicraniectomy vs. conservative treatment (unspecified)	23% vs. 38% 39% vs. 55% at 12 months
Zhao [29]	18–80/63.5	< 48/23.6	Hemicraniectomy vs. detailed conservative treatment protocol	21% vs. 4% 13% vs. 61% at 6 months
Frank (HeADDFIRST) [30]	18–75/52.3	< 96/53.8	Hemicraniectomy vs. detailed conservative treatment protocol	29% vs. 30% 36% vs. 40% at 6 months
Jüttler (DESTINY II) [31]	≥ 61/70	< 48/28	Hemicraniectomy vs. detailed conservative treatment protocol	7% vs. 3% 33% vs. 70% at 6 months
Chua (HeMMI) [32]	18–65/50.3	< 72/36.6	Hemicraniectomy vs. detailed conservative treatment protocol	23% vs. 38% 39% vs. 55% at 6 months