Surgery of violence. V. Missile wounds of the head and spine.
The patient with a cerebral gunshot wound has a very unstable condition. In Belfast emphasis has been laid on rapid evacuation and on starting resuscitation within a few minutes of injury. Early and adequate transfusion combats shock; controlled ventilation helps limit the rise in intracranial pressure. Intracranial haematomata should be sought by early operation. Operation seldom improves neurological function in missile wounds of the spine.
D001794:Blood Pressure; D003243:Consciousness; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D009660:Northern Ireland; D011379:Prognosis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012151:Resuscitation; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000628:therapy