Analysis of the head injuries admitted to the Oxford Regional Neurosurgical Unit 1980-1982.

We have reviewed the patients with head injuries referred to the Oxford Regional Neurosurgical Unit over a 2-year period (1980-1982). In 73 per cent of the cases the referring surgeon suspected an intracranial collection or was experiencing difficulty in managing the patient. Eighty-one per cent of these patients required nursing in the Intensive Care Unit; 32 per cent underwent operative intervention. The total numbers admitted were low and this may suggest that many patients with severe head injuries are being treated in the district general hospitals when ideally they should be transferred to a neurosurgical unit. Adherence to suggested guidelines for transference would necessitate increased neurosurgical facilities.