Citation

Lowery AJ, Khan W, Barry K. Int. J. Surg. Case Rep. 2012; 3(8): 356-357.

Affiliation

Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, Mayo, Ireland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijscr.2012.04.007

PMID

22595315

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic head/brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and life-long disability in children. The key to successful management of extradural haematoma is early recognition and evacuation. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the successful management of a child with life-threatening traumatic brain injury requiring timely surgical intervention outside of a specialist neurosurgical unit. DISCUSSION: Children with an operable injury have improved outcomes if their lesion is surgically evacuated within four hours. This can be challenging in regions located a significant distance from paediatric neurosurgical specialist centres. CONCLUSION: This case supports the recommendation for general surgeons maintaining the skill of burrhole evacuation of extradural haematomas. Whether this will remain feasible in the era of "super-specialisation" is questionable.

Language: en