Chirurgia italiana
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The aim of this work was to describe the model and clinical results obtained by the Niguarda Trauma Team referral center for major trauma, in Milan. The Trauma Team is organized as a trauma service, where general surgeons, anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons work on a 24 hour rotation. When not in duty in the rotations, specialists work in their specific elective activities. ⋯ Skeletal injuries were the most frequent findings, but brain and thoraco-abdominal injuries were associated with a higher risk of death. 1476 surgical procedures (16.93% general surgery and 111 interventional angiographic studies) were performed. Quality assessment revealed a significant decrease in preventable deaths within the first 72 hours, after excluding patients admitted in extremis. The results presented in this study demonstrate the possibility of realising a model of organized trauma care in an emergency department in Italy, with patient outcomes comparable to those obtained in Trauma Center in other countries.