Complications following surgery for severe head injury.

The number of patients who survive, after severe head injuries, is becoming more and more consistent due to the remarkable progress made in intensive care and rehabilitation units. The aim of this study is to identify, in addition to direct structural damage, medical and neurological problems and describe their frequency within a group of patients with severe head injuries. Neurologic, metabolic, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory, cardiovascular, cutaneous and endocrinologic problems were more frequently found. All these problems, which were identified during the first month after head injury, are discussed regarding their clinical significance, therapeutic approach, and morbidity.