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WELCOME
Over the past five years, the Division of Neurosurgery has experienced an unprecedented growth and is widely regarded as a leading neurosurgical academic unit in Canada. MORE

 INNOVATION

The PoleStar® iMRI Navigation System, a revolutionary compact iMRI and navigation system, provides surgeons with real-time, high-quality images before, during, and after brain tumor surgery. MORE

RESEARCH
This has been another great year for research in the Division of Neurosurgery. Division members are involved in a wide spectrum of research. MORE

RESIDENCY
The major objective of the Neurosurgery Residency Training Program at Dalhousie is the development of skilled neurosurgeons in the clinical care of neurosurgical patients. MORE

BRAIN REPAIR
The Division of Neurosurgery is an integral part of the Brain Repair Centre, the largest and most comprehensive health research initiative in Atlantic Canada. MORE

NEUROSURGERY
NEUROTRAUMA PROGRAM

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The Neurotrauma Program is dedicated to improving care for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and families in Nova Scotia. Research efforts have focused on bringing patients to neurosurgical care as expeditiously as possible after their injury. We are working collaboratively with partners across the full continuum of care to develop evidence-based care pathways to accelerate access to care, reduce lengths of stay and optimize patient outcomes.

RESEARCH:

The TBI database contains 1268 patients to date. TBI cases are reviewed weekly at TBI teaching rounds (chaired by Dr. Clarke and Dr. Walling) to ensure data integrity and to identify cases for quality improvement.

As a surveillance initiative, we examined Emergency Health Services data to determine the number of ambulance dispatches for brain injuries on Nova Scotia’s ski hills and skating arenas.

Analysis is ongoing for the prospective Brain Trauma Outcomes study, examining long-term outcomes for major TBI.

We have recently joined the Randomised Evaluation of Surgery with Craniectomy for Uncontrollable Elevation of Intra-Cranial Pressure (RESCUEicp) study, a multicentre international clinical trial which compares the effectiveness of surgical and medical management strategies for refractory intracranial pressure

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

A total of 16 presentations have been done to date for the BTO study.  This year the results of our examination of times to tertiary care for TBI were presented at the International Brain Injury Association World Congress in Edinburgh, UK.

A pathway for standardization of the referral process for TBI rehabilitation follow-up has been developed and implemented.

For the seventh consecutive year, two 4th year Dalhousie University Nursing students completed a placement with the Neurotrauma Program.

In collaboration with EHS, the Nova Scotia Trauma Program, and Emergency Medicine, we are developing a protocol that will provide trauma patients with timely, streamlined access to tertiary care.

PROGRAM GOALS:

Provide excellence in neurotrauma care, education and research

Expansion of neurotrauma research  

Collaborate with provincial partners for trauma system improvements