• van WessemKarlijn J PKJP0000-0002-1166-0990Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Suite G04.232, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands. kwessem@umcutrecht.nl., Kim E M Benders, LeenenLuke P HLPH0000-0001-8385-1801Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Suite G04.232, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands., and Falco Hietbrink.
• Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Suite G04.232, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands. kwessem@umcutrecht.nl.
• Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2024 Sep 17.

IntroductionAdvances in trauma care have attributed to a decrease in mortality and change in cause of death. Consequently, exsanguination and traumatic brain injury (TBI) have become the most common causes of death. Exsanguination decreased by early hemorrhage control strategies, whereas TBI has become a global health problem. The aim of this study was to investigate trends in injury severity,physiology, treatment and mortality in the last decade.MethodsIn 2014, a prospective cohort study was started including consecutive severely injured trauma patients > 15 years admitted to a Level-1 Trauma Center ICU. Demographics, physiology, resuscitation, and outcome parameters were prospectively collected.ResultsFive hundred and seventy-eight severely injured patients with predominantly blunt injuries (94%) were included. Seventy-two percent were male with a median age of 46 (28-61) years, and ISS of 29 (22-38). Overall mortality rate was 18% (106/578) with TBI (66%, 70/106) being the largest cause of death. Less than 1% (5/578) died of exsanguination. Trend analysis of the 10-year period revealed similar mortality rates despite an ISS increase in the last 2 years. No significant differences in demographics,and physiology in ED were noted. Resuscitation strategy changed to less crystalloids and more FFP. Risk factors for mortality were age, brain injury severity, base deficit, hypoxia, and crystalloid resuscitation.DiscussionTBI was the single largest cause of death in severely injured patients in the last decade. With an aging population TBI will increase and become the next epidemic in trauma. Future research should focus on brain injury prevention and decreasing the inflammatory response in brain tissue causing secondary damage, as was previously done in other parts of the body.© 2024. The Author(s).

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