Key Clinical Findings & Highlights
- Provides epidemiological neurotrauma data from a premier apex tertiary institution.
- Outlines safety protocols for emergency craniotomies and trauma decompression during infectious disease crises.
- Demonstrates maintaining zero-delay emergency surgical pathways for acute head injuries.
Abstract
Introduction & Background
Road traffic accidents (RTAs) historically represent the leading cause of traumatic brain injury across India. The stringent lockdown provided a unique epidemiological model to evaluate the impact of vehicular restrictions on neurotrauma volume, domestic assault patterns, fall injuries, and hospital triage efficiency.
Clinical Case Presentation & Diagnosis
A retrospective comparative cohort study evaluated all consecutive neurotrauma admissions over a 12-month period. Patients were stratified into severe, moderate, and mild TBI according to Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and evaluated for emergency surgical interventions including decompressive craniectomy, contusion evacuation, and extradural hematoma (EDH) drainage.
Surgical Technique & Management
Infection-control protocols including rapid viral antigen screening, negative-pressure operative suites, and modified personal protective equipment (PPE) craniotomy workflows were implemented without delaying emergency neurosurgical life-saving interventions.
Discussion & Literature Context
The study observed an overall 42% reduction in vehicular road accident admissions during the peak lockdown, accompanied by a relative rise in domestic falls and interpersonal assaults. However, the proportion of severe TBI requiring emergency decompressive craniectomy remained high, emphasizing the necessity of uninterrupted emergency neurosurgical readiness.
Conclusion
Despite lockdown mobility reductions, high-velocity neurotrauma and emergency surgical requirements persist, mandating dedicated neurotrauma protocols during public health emergencies.
How to Cite This Research
N. Nayak, P. R. Singh, R. K. Sharma, Dr. Surendra K. Gupta, C. S. Gandhoke, A. K. Sharma (2022). "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic during the Lockdown on the Traumatic Brain Injury—An Institutional Experience". Indian Journal of Neurotrauma, Volume 19, Issue 1, Pages 007-011.
