SEVERE HEAD INJURY

CURRENT TRENDS

Abstract

Objective: To assess the outcome of severe head injury in patients with GCS 8 or below. Design:
Retrospective study. Setting: Department of Neurosurgery, Allied Hospital, Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad.
Period: Two years Aug 2002 to July 2004. Material and Methods: Two hundred patients admitted in the department
of Neurosurgery, Allied Hospital, with Glasgow Coma scale 8 or below irrespective of mode of injury and age were
selected with a follow up of up to twelve months. The patients were assessed on arrival in the emergency room on the
basis of GCS. The patients were managed accordingly. Results: 71% patients were managed conservatively and 29%
patients under went surgical intervention. Overall mortality was 40%. Outcome was good in 15% where as 11% patients
remained vegetative. Conclusion: Severe head injury has a mortality of 40%, especially in very young and very old
patients.