Clinical Analysis of Severe Head Injury

ABSTRACT

The authors have analyzed retrospectively a series of 102 consecutive patient with severe head injury who were admitted to the department of Neurosurgery, Dong Guk Univ. Hosp. between January, 1989, and December, 1989. All patients, after appropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, diagnostic measure, and, when required, surgical treatment, were managed in ICU with usual care method. The outcome has been analyzed 4 month later. The overall mortality rate was 36%. Of the survivors, 65% made good recovery or moderate disability, 22% remained severely disabled, and 14% were in a persistent vegetative state. Mortality rates at the variable GCS scores were 82% at 3-4, 25% at 5-6, and 14% at 7-8. The most reliable predictive factors were : Glasgow coma scale, motor response, pupillary reflex at admission.