A standardized neurosurgical/neurointensive therapy directed toward vasogenic edema after severe traumatic brain injury: clinical results

Objective: Analysis of a standardized therapy focusing on prevention and treatment of vasogenic edema in patients suffering severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: A retrospective analysis. Setting: Neurointensive care unit at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden. Patients: 38 patients with severe TBI were included. The median Glasgow Coma Score was 5 (range 3-8) and median age 27 years (range 5-70 years). Interventions: Measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP). Surgical evacuation of hematomas and contusions. Volume expansion aiming at normovolemia. Sedation with continuous intravenous infusion of low-dose thiopentone and reduction of stress response by clonidine, Normalization of capillary hydrostatic pressure by metoprolol and clonidine, If ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) were not stabilized (ICP < 20 mmHg and CPP > 60 mm Hg), a continuous infusion of dihydroergotamine was added, In 4 patients a craniectomy was performed. Results: Of the 35 patients, 27 (71%) survived with good recovery or moderate disability 5 (13 %) survived with severe disability, 1 (3%) remained in a vegetative state, and 5 (13%) died. The mortality due to intracranial hypertension was 11% (4 patients), Conclusion: A therapy focusing on treatment of the assumed vasogenic edema in combination with aggressive neurosurgery resulted in an outcome as good as the best previously reported.