Abstract
A detailed review of 100 consecutive head injury deaths in the Natal area was undertaken after forensic autopsies had been performed; neurohistological examination was carried out in 69 cases. It was found that one-third of deaths could have been prevented by medical treatment. Hypoxic and ischaemic brain damage was judged to be a contributing cause of death in 88% of all victims. Factors isolated as major causes of preventable death included: failure to prevent hypoxic brain damage by timeous endotracheal intubation and rapid resuscitation; major delays in referral from feeder hospitals; and failure to detect intracerebral haematomas and contusions which subsequently caused raised intracranial pressure. Recommendations for improving this situation are discussed, with particular reference to the situation in Natal.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 523-527 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | South African Medical Journal |
Volume | 73 |
Issue number | 9 |
State | Published - Aug 16 1988 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)