TITLE:
Management of Traumatic Brain Injuries at the Kara Regional Hospital
AUTHORS:
Tamegnon Dossouvi, Tchaa Hodabalo Towoezim, Abdel Kader Moumouni, Kokou Kanassoua, Iroukora Kassegne, Ekoue David Dosseh
KEYWORDS:
Traumatic Brain Injury, Road Accident, Motorcyclist, Cerebral Contusion, Togo
JOURNAL NAME:
Surgical Science,
Vol.15 No.2,
February
9,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major public health problem causing
significant morbidity and mortality in young adults. This study aimed to
describe the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and evolutionary aspects
of TBI. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study
conducted from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 on patients admitted to and
treated for cranioencephalic trauma in the General Surgery department of Kara
Regional Hospital. Results: Eighty-three (83) patients with
cranioencephalic trauma were managed out of 773 patients admitted to the
department during the study period. The mean age was 34 ± 14.98 years and the
sex ratio was 3.6 in favour of men. Motorbike taxi drivers were the social
group most affected (n = 33, 40%). The causes of trauma were dominated by
public road accidents (n = 80; 96%). TBI was mild (n = 40; 48%), moderate (n =
35; 42%) and severe (n = 8; 10%). Cerebral CT scans were performed in 19
patients (23%). Cerebral contusion (n = 4) was the most frequent cerebral
lesion. Six patients (7%) with severe head injuries were transferred to Kara
University Hospital. Six deaths (7%) occurred in patients with severe head
injuries. The main sequelae were intermittent headaches in all patients
reviewed, and memory problems (6%). Conclusion: Traumatic brain injuries
are common at Kara Regional Hospital. Severe cranial trauma is less frequent
but leads to death because of financial difficulties and limited technical
facilities.