• U C Liener, U Rapp, L Lampl, M Helm, G Richter, M Gaus, M Wildner, L Kinzl, and F Gebhard.
• Abteilung für Unfall-, Hand und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universität, Ulm. ulrich.liener@medizin.uni-ulm.de
• Unfallchirurg. 2004 Jun 1; 107 (6): 483-90.

AbstractIt is still unknown exactly how many persons sustain a severe injury (ISS > or =16) in Germany each year. Considering the growing restrictions and the introduction of DRGs, it was necessary to acquire data about this rather resource-intensive aspect of trauma care. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the incidence of severe trauma within a defined population. In a retrospective study all surgical emergencies within a 5-year period (1996-2000) were reviewed. Data on type, pattern, severity of injury, and mortality were extracted from the patients' records. During the study period 454 persons sustained a severe injury (ISS > or =16), 112 individuals died at the scene of the accident, and 64 during the hospital stay. The average ISS of the surviving patients was 27 (ISS 16-75). The calculated incidence of severe trauma was 25/100,000 inhabitants per year. Extrapolated, up to 40,000 persons sustain a severe injury each year in Germany. For the first time, this study has provided data on the incidence of major trauma in Germany. Based on the acquired data and a previous cost analysis, hospital treatment costs for severely injured patients amount to up to 2 billion Euros per year in Germany.

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