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UNC is a Level 1 trauma center, meaning that we are able to offer broad, comprehensive care to patients who require emergent trauma care throughout the state. UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC offers a 24/7 pediatric emergency department staffed with providers who are highly experienced in the treatment of children. A board certified or board eligible trauma surgeon is always in the hospital to assess trauma patients who arrive through our emergency room and triage those with brain or spine pathology to neurosurgery.

Spine Trauma & Head Trauma - UNC NeurosurgeryPatients with diffuse cerebral edema, intracranial hemorrhage or brain contusions are then monitored by the neurosurgery team and when necessary may proceed to the operating room for evacuation of a hematoma or decompressive craniectomy (a surgical procedure in which a portion of the skull is removed to alleviate pressure on the brain from swelling).

Patients sustaining fractures of the vertebral column or spinal cord injury are also assessed by the spine surgeon on call and treated accordingly.

Most traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury patients require extensive rehabilitation and follow-up. UNC Pediatric Neurosurgery works closely with specialists to meet each patient’s needs during recovery and rehabilitation to ensure the best possible outcome.

The UNC Children’s Emergency Department is located at 101 Manning Drive in Chapel Hill, NC in the basement of the NC Neurosciences Hospital. Patients should enter through the UNC Emergency Department Entrance.