Injury patterns associated with direction of impact:​ drivers admitted to trauma centers

Dischinger, Patricia C.; Cushing, Brad M.; Kerns, Timothy J.

Affiliations

¹Charles McC. Mathias, Jr. National Study Center for Trauma and EMS, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems

²Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland at Baltimore

³R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems

⁴Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Maryland at Baltimore

Abstract

Clinical data on the nature and severity of injuries was linked with data from police crash reports for 3675 car or truck drivers admitted to trauma centers. Different patterns of injuries were noted for drivers in frontal compared with left lateral collisions. Injuries to the face and lower extremities were significantly greater in frontal collisions; thorax, abdominal, and pelvic injuries were significantly greater in lateral collisions. In addition, drivers in lateral collisions were found to have significantly more multiple injuries to the abdomen and thorax. Despite no difference in mean Injury Severity Score, drivers in left lateral collisions had a significantly higher mortality rate; moreover, this increased mortality was not merely a reflection of the increased incidence of lateral collisions among older drivers. In conclusion, information on direction of impact has potential use for clinical decisionmaking, since drivers in lateral collisions have a higher incidence of occult abdominal and thoracic injuries.

Links

DOI: 10.1097/00005373-199309000-00020

PubMed: 8371306

WoS: A1993LY24200020

Ovid: 00005373-199309000-00020

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Cited By (21)

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