Injury Distribution and Related Factors in Trauma Patients Requiring Immediate Intervention Referred to The First-Level Trauma Hospital in Southwestern Iran

The extent and severity of injury distribution can determine the patient's mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the pattern and role of different variables in injury distribution and outcome among trauma patients.

 This retrospective cohort study was performed in the largest trauma center in the south of Iran, Shiraz, in 2020. All the trauma patients aged above 15 years who were assigned to levels I and II based on the Canadian Triage and Acuity System (CTAS) triage system were categorized as S.00 to T79.7 in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).

 Overall, 1309 patients were assessed. Thorax injury had the highest association with other body injuries in patients with multiple trauma. Head and neck injuries were more associated with chest injuries (40%). Facial and limb injuries were highly associated with Thorax (30%, 38%) and head and neck injuries (41%, 32%), respectively. The analysis of injury distribution showed that the chest is the most commonly injured site (31%) in patients with car accidents. Head and neck injuries are the prevalent site of injury in motorcycle riders (33%). Head, neck, chest, and limb injuries were relatively similar (27%) in pedestrian accidents.

The body injury pattern can vary depending on the cause. It is necessary to take the patient's history during a thorough examination and perform paraclinical tests such as ultrasound and CT scan to prevent the diagnosis of missing injuries.