Incidence of hospital mortality in polytrauma patients in a tertiary center in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Introduction: In the late 70s of the last century, the mortality rate due to polytrauma amounted to 40%. This led to a new approach to this patient category with the goal of improving the treatment outcome.  According to the German trauma register, the rate of mortality in polytrauma at the end of the last century was 18.6%. The goal of this study is to determine the incidence of hospital mortality in polytrauma patients in a tertiary institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Methods: We analyzed patient medical records from the Intensive Care Unit of the Clinic of Orthopedics and Traumatology at University Clinical Center Sarajevo, from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.

Results:  There were 70 polytrauma patients in 2012, with average age 47.55 (range 8-77) years. Half of the patients were younger than 50 years. Age groups most frequently affected were 61 and older (25.7%), 51-60 years (24.3%), and 31-40 years (21.4%). Lethal outcome occurred in 10 patients (14.3%), while 60 patients (85.7%) survived and were treated until discharge or transfer to a different department.  The average Injury Severity Score (ISS) in patients with lethal outcome was 71.50, while in survivors was 37.  The largest percentage of lethal outcomes was recorded in cases of traffic accidents.

Conclusion: The mortality rate among hospitalized polytrauma patients in the tertiary institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina is similar to reported mortality rates in other countries with developed healthcare system.