OBJECTIVE: To evaluate recovering consciousness effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on patients after traumatic brain injury (TBI) surgery. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with traumatic coma were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each group. The control group was mainly treated with awakening drugs and neurotrophic drugs; on the basis of treatment in the control group, the observation group was treated with EA at Neiguan (PC 6) and Shuigou (GV 26) with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency, 0.1-5 mA in intensity. After 30 min of EA, the needles were stayed 60 min. The treatment was performed once a day for 14 consecutive days. The changes in Glasgow coma score (GCS) was observed in the two groups before treatment and after 7, 14 days of treatment; and the two groups were followed up for 3 months after treatment to evaluate the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) and Barthel index (BI) scores. RESULTS: After 7, 14 days of treatment, the GCS scores of the two groups were higher than those before treatment (<0.05), and the increase degree in the observation group was significantly larger than that in the control group (<0.05). At 3 months of follow-up, the GOS and BI scores of the observation group were better than those of the control group (<0.05). CONCLUSION Early electroacupuncture intervention can effectively promote the recovery of consciousness after traumatic brain injury surgery, and has a curative long-term effect.
Acupuncture Points ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic ; surgery ; therapy ; Consciousness ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans

In subarachnoid hemorrhage following traumatic brain injury (TBI), the high intracisternal pressure drives the cerebrospinal fluid into the brain parenchyma, causing cerebral edema. Basal cisternostomy involves opening the basal cisterns to atmospheric pressure and draining cerebrospinal fluid in an attempt to reverse the edema. We describe a case of basal cisternostomy combined with decompressive craniectomy. A 35-year-old man with severe TBI following a road vehicle accident presented with acute subdural hematoma, Glasgow coma scale score of 6, fixed pupils and no corneal response. Opening of the basal cisterns and placement of a temporary cisternal drain led to immediate relaxation of the brain. The patient had a Glasgow coma scale score of 15 on postoperative day 6 and was discharged on day 10. We think basal cisternostomy is a feasible and effective procedure that should be considered in the management of TBI.
Adult ; Brain ; Brain Edema ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic/surgery* ; Decompressive Craniectomy/methods* ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

In order to investigate the susceptible factors of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) and the surgical treatment, the relative factors of 18 cases of intractable PTE and 35 cases of non-PTE patients with posttraumatic seizures (PTS) and the surgical treatment of PTE patients were studied retrospectively. The results showed that there was significant difference in the degree of unconsciousness after head injury, incidence of intracerebral hematoma and acute subdural hematoma between PTE group and non-PTE group. Of the 18 cases of PTE undergoing surgical treatment, the effectiveness of 11 cases was satisfactory and that of the remaining 7 was not. Between the two groups, there was difference in the localization of interictal epileptic discharge (IED) and ictal discharge (ID) as demonstrated by preoperative EEG. It was concluded that PTE was associated with the severity of head injury and intracranial hematoma. The localization of epileptogenic loci by preoperative EEG presumably contributed to the PTE surgical effects.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; Child ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Traumatic ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Treatment Outcome

Since December 2019, a pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus, i.e. COVID-19 occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Although the epidemic in China has been bought under control, the global COVID-19 situation is still grim. Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), as one of critical conditions in the department of neurosurgery, requires an early and effective treatment, especially surgery. There were currently no reliable guidelines on how to perform perioperative protection in TBI patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection. According to the corresponding treatment regulations and guidelines issued by the authorities, we summarized the management strategy of TBI patients in perioperative period during the COVID-19 outbreak based on medical and nursing practice, in order to provide a reference for clinicians.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia ; methods ; Betacoronavirus ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic ; surgery ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operating Rooms ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Perioperative Care ; Pneumonia, Viral ; epidemiology ; prevention & control