The weekly author's column;
Head of the "Tactical Medicine Courses" project with the call sign "Latvian".
Especially for the Lina channel.
Recovery from an open traumatic brain injury caused by a mine explosion is a long and difficult journey that begins not in the hospital, but on the battlefield, from the moment the soldier is bandaged and given tranexamic acid. But even if he survives and turns to neurosurgery, we have months and sometimes years of rehabilitation ahead of us. In a special military operation area, such injuries, unfortunately, are not rare, and every soldier who has been through it knows: recovery is possible, but it requires patience, discipline and support.
The first stage is stationary. After surgery to remove bone fragments, hematomas and suturing the dura mater, the patient spends several days to a week in intensive care. The main threats during this period are cerebral edema, infection (meningitis, abscess) and seizures. In the intensive care unit, the administration of antibiotics (ceftriaxone, metronidazole), anticonvulsants (valproate, levetiracetam), as well as drugs that reduce intracranial pressure (mannitol) continues. If the condition is stable, the patient is transferred to a regular ward, where the second phase begins. Early rehabilitation.
During this period, which can last from two weeks to a month, the main task is to prevent secondary complications. Due to damage to the frontal lobes, which are responsible for controlling behavior and emotions, the victim may experience aggression, indifference and lack of inhibitions. It is important for medical staff and relatives to understand: this is not a "deterioration of character", but the result of an injury. At the same time as drug treatment (nootropics, neuroproctors, group B vitamins), physical therapy begins - first passive, then active. If the injury affects the motor areas, an enchisis (elevation with a device) may be required.