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Does the Presence of an Upper Extremity Injury Affect Outcomes after Major Trauma?

2005; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 58; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/01.ta.0000169930.79684.4e

1529-8809

Adam S. Dowrick, Belinda J. Gabbe, Owen D. Williamson,

Shoulder Injury and Treatment

Background: There is a paucity of information about the impact of upper-extremity (UE) injuries on patient outcomes, particularly after major trauma. Methods: Data were obtained from a statewide trauma registry. Cases were defined as major trauma cases (Injury Severity Score > 15) with (UE group) and without (no-UE group) an associated UE injury. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of outcome. Results: Major trauma patients with UE injury were 1.5 times (p = 0.011) more likely than the no-UE group to have a length of stay greater than 7 days. After adjustment for age, mechanism of injury, and Injury Severity Score, UE injury was not an independent predictor of discharge destination. Conclusion: In major trauma patients, the presence of UE injury is a significant predictor of length of stay, indicating a greater complexity and cost of care.