Pediatric neurosurgery
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Mar 2001
Predictors of acute child and family outcome following traumatic brain injury in children.
To examine the relative contributions of injury severity, level of physical and cognitive disability, child behavior and family function to short-term outcome 6 months following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children. ⋯ These results suggest ongoing functional problems for the child and significant family burden 6 months following TBI. The nature and severity of physical and cognitive problems are most closely related to injury severity, with family functioning and child behavior better predicted by psychosocial and premorbid factors.
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Mar 2001
The influence of hemocoagulative disorders on the outcome of children with head injury.
Although disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and other hemocoagulative abnormalities are severe complications of head injury, their effect on clinical outcome remains unclear, particularly among children. ⋯ In addition to GCS, type of trauma, type of brain lesion and certain coagulation abnormalities are predictors of GOS.
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Numerous materials are available for use in cranioplasty including bone, plastics and metals. Rib grafts as a construct for cranial reconstruction offer several advantages: autologous bone source, a formable platform, low infection, regeneration at the donor site and high fusion rates. Criticism of rib graft cranioplasty includes scarring and pain at the donor site, irregular contour at the graft site and graft reabsorption. ⋯ No donor site complications were noted (pneumothorax, significant post-operative pain) and no post-operative infections were encountered. Excellent cranial contour was achieved in each of the 11 patients followed for a minimum of 12 months. One subject required staged reconstructive procedures owing to the size of the defect.