Fente and Odjugo.INJURY BY GENERAL SURGEONS AT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF THE NIGER DELTA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (NDUTH) OKOLOBIRI, BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA.Palgo Journal of Medicine and Medical Science

home journals search about us contact us

Palgo Journal Of Medicine and Medical Science, Vol. 1(1) pp.1-6, September, 2014.

Full Length Research Paper

PATTERN, OUTCOME AND OF MANAGEMENT OF HEAD INJURY BY GENERAL SURGEONS AT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF THE NIGER DELTA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (NDUTH) OKOLOBIRI, BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA.

* Fente Beleudanyo Gbalipre and Odjugo Eretare Cliford

Department Of Surgery, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsa State

Corresponding authors email:bgfente@hotmail.com

Accepted 20 September 2014

Abstract

Head injury is one of the common causes of surgical admission in the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri. With no neurosurgeons available, most of the cases are managed effectively by adequately trained general surgeons.

The aim of the study is to study the pattern of head injury and their management outcome in a setting where they were managed by general surgeons.

This is a prospective analytical study of 54 head injury patients. The study defines the patterns of head injury, their management by general surgeons and outcome in Accident and emergency department of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Okolobiri, Bayelsa State of Nigeria over a two year period (January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013).

Fifty-four cases were studied. Out of which, 66.7% (36) were mild, 11.1% (6) moderate and 22.2% (12) severe head injury cases, based on Glasgow coma scale. Majority of cases 25 (46.3%) were young adults between 21-30 years. Males accounted for 37(68.5%) and females 17(31.5%) of cases. 18.5% (10) cases were associated with skull fractures. Most of the cases showed good recovery. Referred cases were 6 (11.1%), 4 (7.4%) died and 2 (3.7%) left against medical advice.

Most of the head injury cases encountered can be managed initially by general surgeons in our setting with basic facilities like a high dependency unit and a dedicated team. A trauma center needs to be established in this facility to provide prompt and quality care to head injured patients.

Keywords: Glasgow Coma Scale; head injury; pattern, outcome

Submit Paper

Join Review Board

Current Issue:

September: Vol. 1(1) pp.1-6

Viewing options:
Abstract

Full article (PDF) (256KB)

Palgo Journal of Medicine and Medical Science