title: The clinical outcome of patients with severe head injuries, treated with highdose dexamethasone, hyperventilation and barbiturates.
abstract: The outcome in 45 consecutive patients following severe head injuries is presented. All patients were evaluated according to the Glasgow Coma Scale and the Glasgow Outcome Scale. All patients received a combined treatment consisting of dexamethasone, barbiturate and hyperventilation. A primary operative intervention was performed in 14 patients with intracranial haematomas. There was a good recovery in 53%, 20% were moderately disabled, 11% were severely disabled. 16% died or remained in a vegetative state. The patients were aged between 5 and 83 years, 49% were under 20 years, and the relationship between age and outcome was demonstrated. 86% of the patients under 20 years and 60% over 20 years made a good recovery. These results indicate that a more favourable prognosis is possible after severe head injury, especially in children and thus the combined treatment described above appears justified.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006985:Hyperventilation; D008297:Male; D008614:Meperidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D008614:Meperidine; D010424:Pentobarbital; D002746:Chlorpromazine; D010634:Phenobarbital