[Effective factors in the outcome of head injury].

BACKGROUND

In this study, the data that could be obtained from our patient record system were investigated with respect to factors affecting the outcome in adult patients with head injury.

METHODS

The records of 356 adult head-injury patients (308 males, 48 females; mean age 43.1 +/- 18.6 years; range 17 to 87 years) hospitalized in Trakya University Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery and the Intensive Care Unit were examined. Results of the obtained data were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

Age (p = 0.012), use of airway tube (p < 0.001), Glasgow Coma Scale values determined at the injury site and in the Emergency Unit (p < 0.001), clustered systolic and diastolic tricuspid annulus values (p < 0.001), accompanying chest (p = 0.001) and abdominal (p = 0.041) injury, anisocoria (p = 0.001), pupillary light response (p < 0.001), intracranial radiologic findings such as subdural hematoma (p < 0.001), brain contusion (p = 0.006), traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (p < 0.001), traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.005), and brain edema ( p < 0.001), performance of a surgical procedure (p < 0.001), and presence of nosocomial infection (p < 0.001) were demonstrated to cause significant differences in the outcome. CONCLUSION The main aim must be to reduce accidents in an effort to reduce the number of deaths due to head injuries; additionally, emergency and hospital care facilities should be developed with respect to head injury cases.