Traumatic Brain Injury: Neurosurgical and Critical Care Outcomes in Windhoek and Katutura Hospitals, 2020-2024

OBJECTIVE: To describe outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury and document neurosurgical and critical care management. DESIGN: A 4-year retrospective study. SUBJECTS: One hundred and thirty patients with traumatic brain injury admitted between March 2020 and March 2024 for neurosurgical and critical care at Katutura and Windhoek hospitals in Namibia. METHODS: Demographic, clinical, radiological, and injury-mechanism data were recorded at admission and during neurosurgical and intensive care. The primary outcome measure was the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Outcome groups were compared according to age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale at admission, brain CT findings, ventilation therapy, and neurosurgical procedure. RESULTS: Favorable outcomes were observed in 114 patients, including 91 cases with good recovery (70%). Sixteen patients had an unfavorable outcome; 8 of them died (50%). The 19-34 age group had the highest representation among patients with unfavorable outcomes (9 of 16 cases). Males represented most patients who underwent surgery and neurocritical care (103 of 130 cases, 79%). Assault was present in 84 cases (64%). Seventy-five percent of patients with an unfavorable outcome had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less on admission (12 of 16 cases). CT studies showed depressed skull fractures in 52% of patients (68 cases). Eight of the 16 patients with unfavorable outcomes had epidural hematomas (50%). Craniotomy was the most frequent neurosurgical technique (75 cases, 57.69%). Eight of the 16 patients with unfavorable outcomes required mechanical ventilation for more than 8 days. CONCLUSION: Most patients with traumatic brain injury had a favorable outcome on the Glasgow Outcome Scale.

Pérez Blanco Víctor Manuel, Pérez Abal Gretel Victoria, and Zannou Martin Cedric Ahissou. Traumatic Brain Injury: Neurosurgical and Critical Care Outcomes in Windhoek and Katutura Hospitals, 2020-2024. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 13 (2026) 27-36, doi: 10.17265/2328-2150/2026.01.002

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