• J Shabbir, M A Shah, A Nissar, M Clarke-Moloney, E G Kavanagh, J Drumm, and P A Grace.
• Dept of Vascular Surgery, Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.
• Ir J Med Sci. 2005 Oct 1; 174 (4): 23-7.

BackgroundIn the Republic of Ireland there are no paediatric surgeons outside Dublin. Most paediatric trauma is managed in general hospitals by general or orthopaedic surgeons.AimIn this study we audited our experience with paediatric trauma in a regional setting.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective review of all non-orthopaedic paediatric trauma patients admitted to our institution over a two-year period.The method of injury, management and outcome were recorded and the TRISS (revised trauma injury severity score) method was used to calculate the probability of survival.ResultsOne hundred and fifty four paediatric patients were admitted following trauma. Falls, RTAs and burns were the commonest reasons for admission. Twenty nine of these patients (19%) required surgical procedures. There were no unexpected deaths.ConclusionThe majority of paediatric trauma admissions were for minor injuries. A number of seriously injured children were successfully treated with no unexpected deaths.

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