TITLE:
Results of Surgical Treatment and Prognostic Factors in Patients Operated for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Three Referral Hospitals in Yaoundé
AUTHORS:
Ben Ousmanou Djoubairou, Bello Figuim, Boris Gbassara Koulagna, Achile Komlan Agbéko Doléagbenou, Maxime William Donguim, Oumarou Haman Nassourou, Vincent de Paul Djientcheu
KEYWORDS:
Traumatic Brain Injury, Prognosis, Surgical Outcomes, Quality of Life
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery,
Vol.15 No.2,
April
17,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background and Aim: Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major global health issue associated with high morbidity and mortality. Despite advancements in neurosurgical management, data on surgical outcomes and prognostic factors in resource-limited settings remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes and prognostic indicators in patients undergoing surgery for severe TBI in three referral hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Methods and Materials/Patients: A descriptive and analytical study was conducted with retrospective and prospective data collection from January 2015 to April 2023. Patients diagnosed with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8) who underwent neurosurgical intervention were included. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, surgical techniques, complications, and long-term functional outcomes were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26.0. Prognostic factors were assessed using statistical tests, with a significance threshold of p Results: A total of 129 patients were included, with a male predominance (90%) and a mean age of 37.67 ± 15.63 years. Road traffic accidents accounted for 70% of cases. Craniotomy was the most frequently performed procedure (37.9%), with extradural hematoma being the leading surgical indication (25.6%). The overall postoperative mortality rate was 18.6%. Poor prognostic factors included advanced age (≥60 years, p Conclusion: Severe TBI remains a critical neurosurgical emergency with significant mortality and morbidity. Early surgical intervention, improved prehospital care, and multidisciplinary postoperative management are essential for optimizing outcomes. Strengthening trauma care systems, ensuring rapid transport, and expanding specialized neurosurgical services are necessary to improve survival and long-term functional recovery in resource-limited settings.