Management of life-threatening blunt head trauma in childhood—a case report

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic head/brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and life-long disability in children. The key to successful management of extradural haematoma is early recognition and evacuation. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the successful management of a child with life-threatening traumatic brain injury requiring timely surgical intervention outside of a specialist neurosurgical unit. DISCUSSION: Children with an operable injury have improved outcomes if their lesion is surgically evacuated within four hours. This can be challenging in regions located a significant distance from paediatric neurosurgical specialist centres. CONCLUSION: This case supports the recommendation for general surgeons maintaining the skill of burrhole evacuation of extradural haematomas. Whether this will remain feasible in the era of “superspecialisation” is questionable.