[Emergency craniotomies at the North Karelia Central Hospital in 2006 to 2014]

Traditionally, acute evacuations of traumatic intracranial hematomas are performed by neurosurgeons in university hospitals. However, most patients with traumatic brain injury are initially transported to regional hospitals that lack neurosurgical expertise. Thus, a trauma surgeon in a regional hospital may encounter a patient with an expanding hematoma that must be operated without delays. During 2006 to 2014, 14 craniotomies were performed at the North Karelia Central Hospital. Twelve patients were operated for acute traumatic subdural hematoma (ASDH): three patients made good recovery, two were left with severe disability, and seven died. Two patients operated with acute epidural hematoma (EDH) recovered well.