Characteristics of polytrauma patients between 1992 and 2002: what is changing?

Objective: To analyse the characteristics of polytrauma patients and the quality and progress of treatment regimens by an evaluation of a trauma population.

Methods: The study included all polytrauma patients treated between 1992 and 2002 at a level 1 trauma centre. Data of 501 cases were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively. The analysis included the demographic data, injury severity, preclinical haemodynamics, intubation rates, incidences of multiorgan failure and adult respiratory distress syndrome, and mortality.

Results: Per year of the study, the average age of patients increased by 0.748 years. Preclinical intubation rates also increased and the number of cases of primary shock decreased. The Injury Severity Score fell on average by 0.59 points per year. There was a significant decrease in multiorgan failure and adult respiratory distress syndrome. The mortality rate remained constant.

Conclusions: Protracted time of initial rescue, early intubation and good preclinical treatment lead to a reduction of complications during intensive care. The increasing number of elderly patients results in persistently high mortality even with decreasing injury severity.