IMPACT AND OUTCOMES OF INCEPTION OF DEPARTMENT OF NEUROSURGERY, A MONOCENTRIC RETROSPECTIVE TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL BASED STUDY

Background: The establishment of the Neurosurgery Department at Rajindra Hospital in June 2023 addressed the pressing need for neurosurgical care in the Patiala region. Despite limited resources, the department aimed to alleviate the burden of traumatic head and spine injuries, which comprised a signicant portion of neurosurgical cases in the area. Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the impact and outcomes of neurosurgical interventions, focusing on traumatic head and spine injuries, within the rst six months of the department's inception. A retrospective monocentric study involvi Materials And Methods: ng 100 patients treated at the Neurosurgical Department at Rajindra Hospital was conducted. Data were collected from medical records of patients presenting with traumatic head and spine injuries over the six-month period following the department's establishment. Results: The majority of procedures conducted included craniectomies and craniotomies, accounting for 54% of cases. Other procedures included spinal surgeries (20%), tumor interventions (8%), bur hole procedures (7%), VP shunts (5%), and re-procedures (3%). The mean age of patients was 44.2 years, with a notable proportion of younger patients (25-45 years) presenting with traumatic head injuries. Additionally, the majority of patients were male, reecting the higher incidence of traumatic injuries in this demographic group. Out of 100 patients, the medi Outcomes: an hospital stay was 15 days. Notably, 44% of patients were discharged without neurological decits, indicating favorable outcomes. However, 43% of patients were discharged with focal neurological decits, suggesting that some patients may require further rehabilitation or follow-up care. Additionally, 7% of patients expired during their hospitalization, highlighting the severity of some cases. Conclusions: Despite limitations in faculty, resources, and bed capacity, the Neurosurgery Department at Rajindra Hospital played a crucial role in reducing referrals to other centers, thereby improving local accessibility and affordability of neurosurgical services. The study underscores the department's transformative effect on patient care and highlights the need for further enhancements and optimization in the future.