A Retrospective Analysis of Head Injury Patients Admitted in an Indian Tertiary Hospital During the COVID 19 Pandemic

Background and Aim:The general effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has so far been enormous.The impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and related conditions during the pandemic has been largely misunderstood.Head injury with subsequent TBI is a major source of morbidity and mortality and presents a challenge in the intensive care unit (ICU).This study aims to describe TBI cases during the COVID-19 outbreak in patients admitted to an emergency trauma ICU. Methods and Materials/Patients:A retrospective study was conducted on patients admitted to the nine-bed multidisciplinary ICU between January 2021 and December 2021.Sociodemographic parameters, causes of TBI, and outcomes in terms of Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, mortality, tracheostomy, and extubation were evaluated.Results: Mean age of patients was 37.0914.64years.Most patients were men (72.4%).A total of 73.6% of patients had TBI due to road traffic accidents (RTA).Mortality was high among patients with higher Rotterdam computed tomography (CT) scores.Mechanical ventilation following TBI was required in 84.2% of patients.Mortality following TBI was high, with 46.05% of all patients dying. Conclusion:The management of TBI patients has had a substantial impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Patients with TBI sustained high mortality rates during the pandemic despite a decrease in the number of ICU admissions.