Despite the proliferation of trauma systems, there are no population-based data describing the epidemiology of traumatic death. To provide these data, we reviewed all trauma deaths occurring in San Diego (California) County during 1 year. There were 625 traumatic deaths during the study (27.3 deaths per 100,000 population per year). Motor vehicle trauma was the most common cause of injury leading to death (N = 344 [55.2%]; 15.0 annual deaths per 100,000 population). Central nervous system injuries were the most common cause of death (48.5%, or 13.2 deaths per 100,000 population per year). Sepsis was responsible for only 2.5% of the overall mortality. Based on life-table data, traumatic death resulted in an annual loss of 1091 years of life per 100,000 and an annual loss of 492 years of productivity per 100,000. Injury continues to account for an enormous loss of life despite improvements in survival wrought by trauma systems.

No abstract

No abstract

A combination of three independent injury data sources generated a composite data set of serious and fatal injury. This regional injury analysis was the most comprehensive overview of injury in our region. Important observations included the following: there has been no change in the overall incidence of severe injury within our county; the incidence of fatal traumatic injury has significantly decreased; the leading causes of nonfatal injury do not correlate with the rank order of fatal injury; intentional injury was the leading cause of injury deaths; and scene fatalities represent a poorly studied group of patients who may benefit from primary prevention and injury control research.

No abstract

Despite current therapy, limb salvage for G-A IIIB and IIIC grades are significantly worse for open tibia fractures as a result of blast injury when compared with typical civilian mechanisms. MESS scores do not adequately predict likelihood of limb salvage in combat or civilian open tibia fractures.

Gender does not play a role in posttraumatic mortality or in the incidence of acute complications after any degree of TBI.

No abstract