World Neurosurg
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational Study
Comparison of Outcomes of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in 36,929 Patients Treated with or without Intracranial Pressure Monitoring in a Mature Trauma System.
Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality with mortality rates reaching 35%. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is used to prevent secondary brain injury and death. However, while the association of elevated ICP and worsened outcomes is accepted, routine ICP monitoring has been questioned after the publication of several studies including the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure trial. We examined whether severe TBI patients in the trauma system of Pennsylvania fared better with or without ICP monitoring. ⋯ We found that ICP-monitored patients had a lower risk of in-hospital mortality. Our findings support the use of ICP monitors in eligible patients.