J Neurosurg Sci
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The cardiovascular and respiratory complications and their treatment during the immediate postoperative period in the intensive care unit (ICU) are analyzed in 145 consecutive cases of supratentorial craniotomy. In this series, 87.5% of the patients remained in the unit less than 48 hours. In all, 67 cardiovascular disorders were observed in 49 subjects (33.7%). ⋯ Extubation was not performed in the operating room in 17.93% of the subjects, and seven patients in which it was had to be reintubated. The stay in the ICU was longer for those intubated (3.03 +/- 0.77 days). Mortality was 2.06%.
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The Authors report an analysis on 40 cases of craniocerebral gunshot wounds treated in a civil hospital over a 8-year period. The important role of CT for a correct diagnosis and treatment planning is stressed even though patients with a G. C. S. lower than 4 die regardless of their CT findings; subdural and intracerebral hematomas are not a serious complication unless patient's neurological status is poor; timing of surgical treatment plays a major role in order to avoid infection of the wound.