The Need for WFNS Standard Simplified Guidelines for the Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries

Abstract

S everal protocols have been published for the management of severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) starting 1995 (4). Primary brain damage occurs at the time of impact; owever, the cornerstone of neurotrauma management lies in reventing secondary brain events. Post-traumatic brain edema ill develop within 4–24 hours and may cause brain herniation ith consequent ischemia, hypoperfusion, water hemostasis ysregulation, and metabolic starvation as the leading causes of ost-traumatic morbidity and mortality (28). Most of the manageent protocols aim at abolishing, minimizing, attenuating, or egating edema formation and/or consequences. There was a remendous saving of money and lives as a result of the adoption f brain trauma guidelines in the United States (9).