Severe trauma patients in a mountain area: an observational study

Objectives

The main objective was to estimate the nature, severity and medical care of severe trauma injuries following mountain activities as compared to severe trauma following traffic accident in a mountain area.

Study design

We conducted a prospective comparative monocentric observational study at a University Hospital located in the northern Alps area, using the First national study database (French intensive care recorded in severe trauma).

Patients and methods

Three hundred and thirty-seven patients were included during a 2-year-period from January 2005 to December 2006. Three hundred and thirty-seven patients, including 223 traffic accidents and 114 mountain accidents were included. The survey data was achieved with a standardized method on a period of 30 days after the accident, and recorded in a computerized file for optimal completeness.

Results

The study did not show higher severity or mortality rates in patients with mountain accidents. In both groups, we found a peak of mortality for young adults and similar causes of death. However, spinal cord injuries were statistically more frequent in mountain accidents.

Conclusion

So, it seems important to continuously warn population about dangers of this playground.