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INTRODUCTION Traumatic head/brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and life-long disability in children. The key to successful management of extradural haematoma is early recognition and evacuation. PRESENTATION OF CASE We report the successful management of a child with life-threatening traumatic brain injury requiring timely surgical intervention outside of a specialist neurosurgical unit. DISCUSSION Children with an operable injury have improved outcomes if their lesion is surgically evacuated within four hours. This can be challenging in regions located a significant distance from paediatric neurosurgical specialist centres. CONCLUSION This case supports the recommendation for general surgeons maintaining the skill of burrhole evacuation of extradural haematomas. Whether this will remain feasible in the era of “super-specialisation” is questionable.
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