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 |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 523-527 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | South African Medical Journal |
| Volume | 73 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| State | Published - Aug 16 1988 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
Prevention of death from head injury in Natal. / Bullock, Ross; Du Trevou, M. D.; Van Dellen, J. R.; Nel, J. P.; McKeown, C. P.
In: South African Medical Journal, Vol. 73, No. 9, 16.08.1988, p. 523-527.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevention of death from head injury in Natal
AU - Bullock, Ross
AU - Du Trevou, M. D.
AU - Van Dellen, J. R.
AU - Nel, J. P.
AU - McKeown, C. P.
PY - 1988/8/16
Y1 - 1988/8/16
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
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M3 - Article
VL - 73
SP - 523
EP - 527
JO - South African Medical Journal
JF - South African Medical Journal
SN - 0038-2469
IS - 9
ER -