Temporary functional deficit in head injury patients received at the Bertoua Regional Hospital

Abstract

Background : The aim of our study was to determine the average temporary functional deficit of head trauma patients admitted to the Bertoua Regional Hospital.

Materials and methods: It was a cross-sectional, retrospective, and descriptive study. It concerned head trauma patients treated at the Bertoua regional hospital from January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2024.

Results: Two hundred and eighteen patients were included. The mean age was 31.6 ± 13.5 years and the sex ratio was 6.1. Traders and entrepreneurs were the most affected occupational group (22% of cases), followed by motorcycle-taximen and drivers (21.6% of cases). Road traffic accidents were the main cause of head injuries in 87.2% of cases. The mean Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission was 12.8, ranging from 7 to 15; mild head injury was the most common, accounting for 61% of cases. Maxillofacial osteosynthesis was the most commonly performed procedure, followed by craniotomies. The average length of hospital stay was 7.7 ± 6.2 days, ranging from 2 to 51 days. The highest average duration of temporary functional deficit was observed in the management of severe head injuries, at 11.1 days.

Conclusion: Craniofacial trauma causes multiple temporary functional deficits. The proliferation of statistics and the popularization of personal injury law remain a challenge in Cameroon in terms of providing better compensation for victims.