Over half of admissions to hospital with severe trauma have associated head injury. Suboptimal management of traumatic brain injury greatly increases mortality and morbidity. This article reviews current practice in the management of head injury resulting from trauma with particular attention to management strategies that have been proven to minimise secondary brain injury in the early resuscitation period. Ongoing management of confirmed severe brain injury is detailed, including maintenance of cerebral perfusion and the control of raised intracranial pressure.
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