New stroke surgery could eliminate second operation

This study tests a new surgical technique called Expansion-floating Craniotomy (EC) for people with life-threatening brain swelling after a massive stroke. The standard surgery removes a piece of skull to relieve pressure but requires a second operation months later to replace the bone. EC uses temporary metal plates to lift the bone instead, aiming to avoid that second surgery. The study will compare outcomes in 356 adults to see if EC is as safe and effective as the standard approach.