TY - JOUR PY - 2012// TI - Paediatric and adolescent trauma care within an integrated trauma system JO - Injury A1 - Deasy, Conor A1 - Gabbe, Belinda A1 - Palmer, Cameron A1 - Babl, Franz E. A1 - Bevan, Catherine A1 - Crameri, Joe A1 - Butt, Warwick A1 - Fitzgerald, Mark A1 - Judson, Rodney A1 - Cameron, Peter SP - 2006 EP - 2011 VL - 43 IS - 12 N2 - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish the profile and outcomes of paediatric major trauma care (PTMC) within an integrated inclusive regionalised trauma system. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from July 2001 to June 2009 from the Victorian State Trauma Registry of patients aged <18 years were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 1634 major trauma cases with a median (IQR) age of 13 (6-16) years and 69% were male. The median ISS (IQR) was 18 (16-26). There were 1361 patients treated at a major trauma centre of which 69% (n=943) were treated at the PMTC. Head injury (AIS>2) was the most frequent injury (n=950, 58%). Surgery was required in 39% (n=637) of all cases; 437 patients in the 10-17 year old group and 200 patients in the 0-9 year old group; the mortality was 6.6%. There were 530 patients (32.4%) ventilated in ICU; these had a median ISS (IQR) of 25 (17-34) and mortality of 7.4%. Improvements in risk-adjusted mortality have occurred as the years have progressed [adjusted OR 95% CI: 0.87 (0.76, 0.99)] and being treated at a Level 1 trauma centre was associated with lower adjusted odds of mortality [adjusted OR 95% CI: 0.27 (0.11, 0.68)]. CONCLUSION: The establishment of this integrated inclusive regionalised trauma system has been associated with progressively improving risk-adjusted mortality. The relatively low volume of major trauma requiring surgery in the 0-9 year old age group is notable, creating a challenging environment for maintaining skills and institutional preparedness.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0020-1383 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2011.08.032 ID - ref1 ER -