ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the initial assessment and management of head injured patients, followed by the main principles of managing these patients on an intensive care unit. The mainstay of the treatment on intensive care is focused on minimising secondary injury to the brain. As such, it is important that the above factors are considered when assessing any patient. The importance and detailed management of them will be covered below, in the section on specialist critical care management. The chapter provides an introduction to the ongoing medical management of the severely brain-injured patient on neuro-critical care. The principles of critical care management in severe traumatic brain injury are supportive. The majority of the interventions are aimed at maintaining adequate cerebral perfusion to the brain, and thereby minimising secondary injury. The chapter highlights the importance of a close multi-disciplinary team working with the neurosurgical teams, to help identify when surgical intervention is appropriate.
