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The first question to be asked is how would you make the diagnosis of intracranial hypertension? There are a few injuries that do not fair well in the field relative to our ability to intervene and this is one of them. Extricate /casevac are the maneuvers that can make a difference. The average medic/PA or field doc will not have the necessary tools to diagnose or treat this. Preventing secondary injury: prevent hypotension and prevent hypoxia are difficult at best in the field to deal with...haven't seen too many oxygen bottles being carried by anyone.
Get them out of there and to a medical facility is the best field medicine...and prevent further injuries from occuring/deal with other injuries, etc.
ss
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'Revel in action, translate perceptions into instant judgements, and these into actions that are irrevocable, monumentous and dreadful - all this with lightning speed, in conditions of great stress and in an environment of high tension:what is expected of "us" is the impossible, yet we deliver just that.
(adapted from: Sherwin B. Nuland, MD, surgeon and author: The Wisdom of the Body, 1997 )
Education is the anti-ignorance we all need to better treat our patients. ss, 2008.
The blade is so sharp that the incision is perfect. They don't realize they've been cut until they're out of the fight: A Surgeon Warrior. I use a knife to defend life and to save it. ss (aka traumadoc)
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