Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 1997 , Vol 7 , Num 2
BASIC PRINCIPLES IN AERIAL TRANSPORTATION OF PATIENTS WITH CRANIOCEREBRAL INJURY
Murat KUTLAY, Ahmet ÇOLAK, Osman Niyazi AKIN, Nusret DEMİRCAN, Korkut ALKAN
GATA Haydarpaşa Eğitim Hastanesi Nöroşirürji Kliniği, İstanbul Medical evacuation by air imposes a variety of potential medical problems which may need neurosurgical consultation. These medical problems occur primarily due to altitude. In this study, probable problems specific to aerial transportation of patiens with craniocerebral injury are presented. During a 18 month period 24 patients with craniocerebral injury were transported. All were male and the mean age was 23.95 ± 7.36 years (range:17-43). Peak cabin altirndes ranged from 3500 to 8000 feet, and average peak altitude was 7000 ± 196. 16 feet. All patients demonstrated a lower oxygen sarnration at air than on the ground. Of 24 patients, 12 patients (50 %) demonstrated oxygen saturation decrease (less than or equal to 90 %). In this group, 7 patients' Glasgow coma scores were between 7 and 9. They required continuous supplemental 100 % oxygen administration (4 L/min) to maintain their inflight saturation at or above 90 %. We observed that desaturations in the remaining 5 patients whose Glasgow coma scores ranged from 10 to 15 were easily correctable to above 90 % by applying 100 % oxygen at 4 L/min intermittently. Additionally, we determined that desaturation was significant particularly in anemic (Hb ≤ 10 g/ dL) patients. All patients were transported without inflight morbidity or mortality. According to the findings obtained from this study, we conclude that air transportation of patients with craniocerebral injuries can be performed safely by trained medical personnel and a spesifically designed aircraft. Anahtar Kelimeler : Aeromedical transportation, craniocerebral trauma, hypoxia