Head injury patterns and outcome at tertiary care center in central India: A prospective observational study

Abstract

Background: Head injury is significant public health problem and it is one of leading causes of death worldwide. Our aim of this study is to study various patterns, epidemiological aspects, radiological findings and treatment modalities of head injury. Material and Method: A total of 250 cases of head injuries satisfying inclusion criteria were included in the study using convenience non-random sampling method reporting period from October 2020 to November 2022 attending Casualty of Trauma care center of Tertiary Care hospital of Central India. Patients were observed for their outcome and appropriate statistical procedure was performed. Results: Majority of patients reach hospitals by around 1-3 hours (43.2%) followed by <1 hour (28%). Majority of patients had road traffic accident (62%) followed by H/O fall. (25.2%), assault (8.4%) and others (4.4%). Majority of patients had mild GCS score (62%) followed by moderate (21.2%) and severe among 42 (16.8%) patients. Majority of patients managed conservatively (81.2%) followed by operative procedures. (18.8%). Majority of patients survived with minimal or no disability 176(70.4%) while some patients survived with Moderate to severe disability are 38(15.2%) and 31 patients (12.4%) lost their life after head injury. Conclusion: The study showed that most head injury victims, brought to a tertiary care hospital, were due to road traffic accidents. This emphasizes on a need to develop preventive measures like awareness about traffic rules, the use of seat belts and helmets, an improved construction and the maintenance of the roads, better traffic monitoring, the prevention of drunken driving amongst the automobile drivers, and increased road traffic sense in the road.