[Treatment of primary trauma in the brainstem: analysis of 126 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the therapeutic approaches and observe their effects on primary traumatic injuries in the brainstem.


METHODS
A summary analysis of the therapeutic effects was carried out in 126 cases of primary traumas in the brainstem, most of which were given controlled ventilation at early stages of the injury, mild hypothermia, Ca(2+) antagonist and ganglioside GM1 therapy.


RESULTS
Death occurred in 35 cases (27.78 %) within 2 weeks following brain trauma, mainly due to central respiratory failure. Six months after brain trauma, totally 50 deaths (39.68 %) occurred, with 12 cases (9.52 %) lapsing into vegetative state, 11 cases (8.73 %) severely disabled, 17 cases (13.40 %) moderately disabled, and 38 cases (30.16 %) enjoying favorable recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
Controlled ventilation at early stages of the injury, mild hypothermia, Ca(2+) antagonist and GM1 therapy can immensely reduce the mortality and disability rate of patients with primary traumas in the brainstem.
Cheng
Shu-lai
SL
Department of Neurosurgery, People's Hospital of Xinhui City, Xinhui 529100, China.
Chen
Yong-qun
YQ
Ren
An-zhou
AZ
Lu
Tian-xi
TX
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000293:injuries*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D015996:Survival Rate
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside