Analysis of helicopter transport in severe traumatic brain injury
ZHANG Zhi-ping
YUAN Guan-xing
FU Wei
ZHOU Jia
Abstract：Objective To explore the safety protection measures and experience during helicopter transport of patients with severe traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods The clinical data of 15 patients with severe TBI who were transported by helicopter from December 2021 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Of the 15 patients,13 were male(86.7%)and 2 were female(13.3%),with ages ranging from 8 to 73 years(median 51 years;interquartile range[IQR]:36～56 years).Ten patients(66.7%)had injuries in other body regions.The transport distance ranged from 78 to 460 km(median 150 km;IQR:106～230 km),and the transport time ranged from 23 minutes to 134 minutes(median 41 minutes;IQR:33～67 minutes).During transport,10 patients experienced clinical deterioration,including 3 patients of decreased blood oxygen saturation,4 of elevated blood pressure,and 3 of decreased blood oxygen saturation combined with hypotension.All patients were safely transferred to the destination hospital.Conclusion Helicopter transport significantly reduces transfer time for severe TBI patients.Continuous monitoring of blood oxygen saturation and blood pressure,along with timely interventions,is crucial during transport to prevent exacerbation of brain injury.
Keywords：Severe traumatic brain injuryHelicopter transportAeromedical evacuation
Publication Date：2025-02-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 65-68 )