Objective: To study the effect of standard large trauma craniotomy(SLTC) on outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) (GCS≤8).Methods: 230 patients with severe TBI were randomly divided into two groups.115 patients underwent SLTC (10 cm×12 cm) as an SLTC group, and other 115 patients underwent temporo-parietal or fronto-temporal craniotomy (6 cm×8 cm) according to the position of hematomas as a routine craniotomy (RC) group.Other treatments were identical in two groups.According to Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), the prognosis of the patients was evaluated and the complications were compared between two groups.Results: 27 patients got good outcome and moderate disability (23.5%), 40 severe disability and vegetative survival (34.8%), and 48 died (41.7%) in SLTC group.21 patients got good outcome and moderate disability (18.3%), 28 severe disability and vegetative survival (24.3%), and 66 died (57.4%) in RC group.The incidence of incision hernia was lower in SLTC group than in RC group.However, the incidence of operative encephalocele, traumatic epilepsy and intracranial infection were not different in two groups.Conclusions: Standard large trauma craniotomy significantly reduces the mortality of patients with severe TBI without serious complications, but does not improve the life quality of the patients.