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Thu May 21 03:32:03 BST 2009

Yep - he did have a critical lesion.
The child rapidly became unconscious, started fitting and then blew a pupil.
Family took him to local hospital.

The local doctor evacuated a clot and 400ml of blood from the epidural space 
by drilling just above the right ear.

He was in phone contact with a neurosurgeon at the major trauma centre in 
Melbourne who talked him through the procedure.
This was in part facilitated by our State Trauma system which fast tracks 
communications between regional and remote medical facilities with the major 
trauma centres.
The surgeons can give advise to the remote doctor or paramedics over the 
phone for immediate care needs of the patient meanwhile arranging for 
transfer to the appropriate centre.

This kid also had a pretty level headed and gutsy local doctor and 
anaesthetist at the regional hospital.

He looks well.

Jen
IC Paramedic
Victoria, Oz
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rob Ojala" <Rob.Ojala at cdhb.govt.nz>
To: "Trauma and Critical Care mailing list" <trauma-list at trauma.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 12:07 PM
Subject: RE: Australian doctor uses household drill to save boy

based on recent opinions expressed on this list....[and assuming this child 
really did have a critical lesion]...i suspect he was lucky to be living in 
Australia :-(

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Australian doctor uses household drill to save boy