Citation

Ramos-Zúñiga R, Sevilla E, Ursiel-Ortega Y. World Neurosurg. 2018; 114: e477-e482.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.wneu.2018.02.194

PMID

29530681

Abstract

OBJETIVE: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) associated to alcohol consumption is a global public health problem. It is important to identify and rethink the strategies to approach this challenge for health institutions from a professional perspective.

METHODS: An online survey, created with google forms, was sent to professional neurosurgeons in Mexico and Latin America. Participation was voluntary, and the responses were anonymous and confidential. Data were captured after a month and subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using Fisher's method and Chi Square.

RESULTS: 83 questionnaires were answered by certified neurosurgeons with a rate of response of 52.9%. It was found that 78% of hospitals have no specific management guidelines for patients with TBI and alcohol intoxication. In 90% of cases no triage strategies are defined for the case and in the hospital admission there are no specific identified strategies for extraordinary surveillance of risks in these patients profile ( p= 0.062).

CONCLUSION: These finding confirm a lack of systematic strategies for management of patients with TBI and associated comorbidity of alcohol intoxication in acute phase, so it is important to define specific management guidelines to improve treatment efficacy and limit complications in patients with this profile.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

ATLS trauma; Alcohol consumption; Alcohol intoxication; Head trauma; Intracranial pressure; Traumatic brain injury