Epidemiology of head Trauma in emergency surgical intensive care units. Retrospective study in 302 patients.

Head injuries are a major public health and socio-economic problem, especially in developing countries, because they affect young adults in particular, who make up the working population. This is a retrospective study from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. It will include all patients with severe head trauma (GCS ≤ 8) with isolated head trauma or as part of a polytrauma hospitalised in the surgical intensive care unit at Casablanca University Hospital ibn Rochd. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological data and the various therapeutic aspects of severe head trauma. During this period, 65 head trauma patients, including 22 severe head trauma, were treated in the intensive care unit. The majority of patients (80%) was under 40 years of age and (77.27%) were males. The etiologies were dominated by public road accident (72.73%). The average blood pressure of our patients was 93.25 mmHg, ranging from 80 to 111 mm Hg. More than 90% of patients had a Glasgow score > 5. 77% of patients had associated injuries (11 otorrhagia and 6 epistaxis; facial trauma, thoracic trauma, abdominal trauma, peripheral fracture). CT scans were performed at 100% of patients, revealing 0 subdural haematomas, 3 extradural haematomas, 2 cerebral contusions, 7 meningeal haemorrhages and 12 intracerebral haemorrhages. Thoracic and abdominal-pelvic CT scans were performed in 40% of patients. All patients were intubated and ventilated. A tracheostomy was performed secondarily in 18% of patients. Catecholamines were used in 59.10% of cases. Overall mortality was 72.73%. Only 6 patients underwent surgery (3HSD, 1HSD and 2 embarrures). 50% of our patients presented with a pulmonary infection, the most common isolated germs being streptococcus pneumonia, pseudomonas aeroginosa and staphylococcus aureus. 20% of patients have bedsores Finally, we stress the importance of preventing road accidents by complying with the Highway Code, wearing seatbelts, regularly checking the mechanical condition of vehicles, improving road infrastructure and raising awareness of the risks and consequences of road accidents.