CRANIAL SURGERY

BRAIN TRAUMA

Among various elective surgeries, Dr Setati also specialises in trauma surgery of the brain and spine. Accidents, falls, assaults, sports injuries and other sources of trauma usually result in blunt force trauma to the head. This impact on the brain causes the brain to ricochet within the skull, leading to bruising, bleeding, and tearing of nerve fibres in the brain, requiring emergency medical attention from a neurosurgeon.

Depending on the type of trauma and extent of the injury, Dr Setati will assess the patient, run various tests and quickly evaluate and classify the injury in terms of the area of damage, the mechanism of damage and the patient’s current vitals. This is all done in a matter of seconds to prevent functional and cognitive disabilities as far as possible.

Treatment of these injuries is thus highly individualised, but decisions regarding treatment are made promptly to ensure the best possible outcome. The aim of any neurosurgeon with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is to restore and maintain the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain, as well as reduce intracranial pressure.

COMMON TRAUMA INJURIES INCLUDE

• Concussions
• Contusions
• Haematomas
• Diffused axonal injuries
• Skull fractures
• Intraventricular heamorrhages

While milder head trauma may not require specialised attention or hospitalisation, head trauma coupled by symptoms such as nausea, blurred vision, confusion, unsteadiness, headaches, seizures or difficulty concentrating, should be evaluated by a neurosurgeon.