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Gender Disparities in Morbidity and Mortality Following Traumatic Brain Injury Surgical Procedures.
Monique Mitchell1, Khaled M Taghlabi2, Bilal Moiz3
1Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA. moniquedasilvamitchell@gmail.com.
Neurocritical Care
|September 16, 2025
Summary
Female patients undergoing surgical treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) face higher postoperative morbidity but similar mortality rates compared to males. This highlights the need for gender-specific care strategies in neurosurgery.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of death and disability in the U.S.
- Limited data exist on gender differences in outcomes for surgically treated TBI patients.
- This study investigates gender-based disparities in postoperative complications and 30-day outcomes after TBI surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate gender-based disparities in postoperative complications.
- To assess 30-day outcomes following surgical management of TBI.
- To identify predictors of morbidity and mortality in TBI surgical cohorts.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study using the 2023 ACS-NSQIP database.
- Identified adult patients (≥18 years) who underwent surgical intervention for TBI.
- Stratified patients by gender and used logistic regression to analyze outcomes.
Main Results:
- Female patients were older and had higher rates of hypertension, bleeding disorders, and frailty.
- Postoperative urinary tract infections, transfusion needs, and 30-day morbidity were significantly higher in females.
- Female gender was an independent predictor of 30-day morbidity, but no difference in mortality was observed.
Conclusions:
- Female patients experience greater postoperative morbidity after TBI surgery despite similar mortality.
- Increased age, comorbidities, and complication rates in females necessitate gender-specific perioperative approaches.
- Further research is needed to develop tailored interventions for mitigating gender disparities in neurosurgical care.
