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Traumatic Brain Injury

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

Traumatic brain injuries happen when a person takes some kind of force to the head. The severity of each case varies, but a TBI is usually caused by blows from falling, car accidents, or gun injuries. Lee Health's neurosurgeons perform surgery when patients arrive with traumatic injuries to their brains that can't heal on their own. When surgery is performed, it's done as a means of preventing further damage to the brain and saving the life of the patient.

The type of surgery depends entirely on the case our neurosurgeons are presented with. It may include cutting around the skull to relieve pressure on the brain, repairs to skull fractures when the bone around the head breaks, or surgically drilling holes into the skull to relieve brain bleed.

Where are Trauma Patients Treated?

Lee Health's Gulf Coast Medical Center is the only trauma center in SWFL between Sarasota and Miami. When a patient needs care for an kind of trauma related injury, they're brought here. The facility opened in January of 2022 and was outfitted with cutting edge technology that allows our surgeons to meet the needs of our growing community!

Our expert doctors see roughly 2,400 patients each year, so you can rest assured that our experienced team will provide you with the high level care expected from a regional trauma center. As your community owned non-profit healthcare system, it is our duty to provide convenient trauma services to our fellow Southwest Florida residents and our seasonal visitors.

Are all Traumatic Brain Injuries treated with surgery?

No, many mild traumatic brain injuries don't require invasive surgery to heal. In these cases, doctors may recommend the patient rest at home depending on the patient health and if they have adequate at-home support.

It's very important that patients stay in contact with their doctor to monitor their recovery and receive ongoing care. This is especially true for moderate to severe TBIs. The Federal Government records data on TBIs in the TBIMS National Database and 52% of cases either led to worsening symptoms or death. That's why we strongly recommend seeking out and following the advice of a licensed physician if you have been diagnosed with a TBI or received an injury to the head.