Head and neck injury in major trauma in Ireland: a multicentre retrospective analysis of patterns and surgical workload.

Abstract

Head and neck injuries are common in major trauma patients, but the prevalence is poorly documented in the literature. This study aims to investigate this further, particularly in the context of increasing development of Irish and European trauma systems. To determine the prevalence of, and patterns behind head and neck injury in major trauma in an Irish population. The Trauma Audit Research Network database was analysed for major trauma patients (injury severity score > 15) with head and neck injuries admitted to any of the 26 participating hospitals in the Republic of Ireland between 2014 and 2017. The data was studied for patterns in the epidemiology of injuries and outcomes. A total of 5364 patients were identified. Males were affected more than females (M:F 2.1:1). The most common mechanism of injury was falls. There were 1272 counts of soft tissue injury, and 5814 counts of bony injury recorded within the cohort. Twenty-six percent of patients underwent some form of surgical procedure. Median length of hospital stay was 8days, and the 30-day survival rate was 90%. A substantial number of Irish major trauma patients of all ages and genders sustain some form of head and neck injury. It produces significant injury and surgical workload involving input from multiple disciplines.