J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1996 Feb;25(2):303-308.

Life Expectancy of The Posttraumatic Persistent Vegetative State: Review of Literature and A Proposal

• Lee KS

Abstract

Although the life expectancy of posttraumatic persistent vegetative state is obviously expected to be shorter than that of the general population, exact estimates of the length of survival are not available, however. The author, after reviewing literatures on the definition, criteria for diagnosis, and prognosis of the persistent vegetative state, has proposed a table for the estimation of life expectancy of posttraumatic persistent vegetative state. In this proposal, age and sex of the patient as well as the duration of the vegetative state were used as determining factors of lifespan. Although this proposal is not based on the actual data, it still could serve as a helpful reference to estimate the patients life expectancy and minimizing discrepancies among clinicians with different personal experience.

Keyword

Pesistent vegetative state; Life expectancy; Head injury

MeSH Terms

Craniocerebral Trauma
Diagnosis
Humans
Life Expectancy*
Persistent Vegetative State*
Prognosis