Certain issues for medical evacuation and support after traumatic brain injury at high altitude / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is much more complex considering the unique pathophysiological changes under high-altitude hypoxic environment. Moreover, because of limited source of medical transportation and facilities at high altitude, TBI patients often lack urgent and standard treatment and have to be transported to the district medical center at high altitude or even the neurotrauma center at plain region as soon as possible. The transportation has high risk and takes serious effect on lives and prognosis of the TBI patients. Up to date, the evacuation and support process for TBI patients in the western plateau region of China has been improved through years of practice, but there are still deficiencies compared to the Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT). The authors sought to discuss certain issues related to medical evacuation and support after TBI at high altitude from aspects of early damage control operation and timely safety medical transportation, aiming to improve the survival rate, neurological outcomes and life quality for these patients.