Craniocerebral injuries in combat soldiers treated at the Sapna war hospital, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Aim: To assess the importance of the first aid and medical care administered on the battlefield and at a field surgical unit for the outcome of craniocerebral war injuries.

Methods: State of consciousness of 38 persons with craniocerebral injuries was assessed by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and follow-up of the vital signs and neurological deficit were determined by GCS outcome scale.

Results: Total mortality was 36.8%. The mortality highly correlated with the extent of injury. In general, all patients with Glasgow Coma Scale score of 7 and less died, and those with a higher score survived.

Conclusion: A strict application of the basic principles of the first aid and medical care is a prerequisite for the improvement of the outcome of craniocerebral injuries.