Vision of Harvey Cushing about head injuries

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Harvey Williams Cushing, invited by Professor William Williams Keen, wrote a chapter in the book " Cirugía. Tratado teórico–práctico de patología y clínica quirúrgicas " which, translated from English, was published in the spanish language, in 1912, in Barcelona, Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the postulates of Cushing about head injuries and highlight its current application more than one century after its publication.

RESULTS: It says about the edition and its collaborators. With regard to the historical context is reported that upon release the book already Cushing was recognized as a prestigious neurosurgeon who that same year took over as Chief of the surgical clinic at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. It´s discusses the proposal for classification of fractures of the skull according to the mechanism of production, as it exists or not wound communicating with the focus of fracture, according to the manner in which the fragments and their situation. It´s discussed the excellent scheme where the author shows the mechanism of fractures by depression. Relate the knowledge of neurophysiology that demonstrates Cushing and the theory proposed to explain the distance due to the effects of kickback injury. The validity of their arguments, their impressive scientific analysis and medical illustrations, and other elements are stand out. Outlines other merits as the appropriate language, without ceasing to be scientific, it is enjoyable and manages to convey all the ideas clearly.

CONCLUSIONS: Postulates about head injuries proposed by Cushing remain in force more than a hundred years after published.