Severe blunt trauma in Finland and Estonia: comparison of two regional trauma repositories.

Purpose: Evolving trauma system of Estonia has undergone several reforms; however, performance and outcome indicators have not been benchmarked previously. Thus, we initiated a baseline study to compare demographics, management and outcomes of severely injured patients between Southern Finland and Northern Estonia utilizing regional trauma repositories.

Methods: A comparison of data fields of the Helsinki University Hospital trauma registry (HTR) and trauma registry at the North Estonia Medical Centre in Tallinn (TTR) between 1/1/2015 and 31/12/2016 was performed.

Population-Based Autopsy Study of Traumatic Fatalities.

Background: Injuries result in 5.8 million global fatalities annually and are the leading cause of death in younger individuals. Nevertheless, population-based autopsy investigations on traumatic deaths are scarce.

Evolution of severe trauma in Estonia comparing early versus established independence of the state.

Purpose: Trauma mechanisms and patterns of severe injuries during the Estonian independence have not been evaluated. The aim of the study was to compare the incidence and outcomes of severe injuries between time periods of early independence from the Soviet Union and the present time.

Methods: After the ethics review board approval, all adult trauma admissions to major trauma facilities in 1993-1994 and 2013-2014 with Injury Severity Score >15 were identified.

Delay Between Onset of Symptoms and Surgery in Acute Appendicitis Increases Perioperative Morbidity: A Prospective Study.

Background: Despite significant progress in surgery, controversy persists about timing of appendectomy. Objective of this prospective observational study was to determine associations between time interval from onset of symptoms in appendicitis to appendectomy and postoperative complications.

Methods: After institutional review board approval, all adult consecutive patients subjected to emergency appendectomy between 1/9/2013 and 1/12/2014 were prospectively enrolled.