[Epidemiology of severe injuries from the viewpoint of the trauma center].

Background: Injuries represent the major cause of mortality in the age group up to 45 years. In the Czech Republic, the majority of injuries is caused by traffic accidents. According of statistic data incidence of injuries is increasing.

Methods And Results: Traumatological Hospital Brno is Trauma Centre level I for two districts (2 mil. people). In 1999, the epidemiological prospective study was initiated, monitoring patients with injured at least two body structures and with Injury Severity Score higher than 16. After four years, the group includes 880 patients (75.7% of males). The average age was 39.3 years (14-97 years). The main cause of injury was a traffic accident (72%), the second cause was a downfall (20%).

Conclusions: The average value of ISS is 27, the mortality decreased significantly from 22% in 1999 to 11% in 2002. Occurrence and types of injuries in traffic participants are analysed.