G Alizo1, J D Sciarretta2, S Gibson1, K Muertos3, A Romano3, J Davis1, A Pepe3. 1. Grand Strand Medical Center, University of South Carolina, 809 82nd Parkway, Myrtle Beach, SC, 29572, USA. 2. Grand Strand Medical Center, University of South Carolina, 849 82nd Parkway, Myrtle Beach, SC, 29572, USA. Jdscia@hotmail.com. 3. Grand Strand Medical Center, University of South Carolina, 849 82nd Parkway, Myrtle Beach, SC, 29572, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Fall from heights is high energy injuries and constitutes a fraction of all fall-related trauma evaluations while bearing an increase in morbidity and mortality. We hypothesize that despite advancements in trauma care, the overall survivability has not improved in this subset of trauma patients. METHODS: All adult trauma patients treated after sustaining a fall from heights during a 40-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Admission demographics, clinical data, fall height (ft), injury patterns, ISS, GCS, length of stay, and mortality were reviewed. RESULTS: 116 patients sustained a fall from heights, 90.4% accidental. A mean age of 37± 14.7 years, 86% male, and a fall height of 19 ± 10 ft were encountered. Admission GCS was 13 ± 2 with ISS 10 ± 11. Overall LOS was 6.6 ± 14.9 days and an ICU LOS of 2.8 ± 8.9 days. Falls ≥ 25 ft.(16%) had lower GCS 10.4 ± 5.8, increased ISS 22.6 ± 13.8, a fall height 37.9 ± 13.1 ft and associated increased mortality (p < 0.001). Mortality was 5.2%, a mean distance fallen of 39 ± 22 ft. and an ISS of 31.5 ±16.5. Brain injury was the leading cause of death, 50% with open skull fractures. CONCLUSION: Level of height fallen is a good predictor of overall outcome and survival. Despite advances in trauma care, death rates remain unchanged. Safety awareness and injury prevention programs are needed to reduce the risk of high-level falls.
INTRODUCTION: Fall from heights is high energy injuries and constitutes a fraction of all fall-related trauma evaluations while bearing an increase in morbidity and mortality. We hypothesize that despite advancements in trauma care, the overall survivability has not improved in this subset of traumapatients. METHODS: All adult traumapatients treated after sustaining a fall from heights during a 40-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Admission demographics, clinical data, fall height (ft), injury patterns, ISS, GCS, length of stay, and mortality were reviewed. RESULTS: 116 patients sustained a fall from heights, 90.4% accidental. A mean age of 37± 14.7 years, 86% male, and a fall height of 19 ± 10 ft were encountered. Admission GCS was 13 ± 2 with ISS 10 ± 11. Overall LOS was 6.6 ± 14.9 days and an ICU LOS of 2.8 ± 8.9 days. Falls ≥ 25 ft.(16%) had lower GCS 10.4 ± 5.8, increased ISS 22.6 ± 13.8, a fall height 37.9 ± 13.1 ft and associated increased mortality (p < 0.001). Mortality was 5.2%, a mean distance fallen of 39 ± 22 ft. and an ISS of 31.5 ±16.5. Brain injury was the leading cause of death, 50% with open skull fractures. CONCLUSION: Level of height fallen is a good predictor of overall outcome and survival. Despite advances in trauma care, death rates remain unchanged. Safety awareness and injury prevention programs are needed to reduce the risk of high-level falls.
Entities:
Keywords:
Fall from heights; High-level fall; Trauma
Authors: Xiuwen Sue Dong; Xuanwen Wang; Julie A Largay; James W Platner; Erich Stafford; Chris Trahan Cain; Sang D Choi Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2014-05-28 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Laura Ramírez-Martínez; Mariella Chamah-Nicolás; Mariely Nieves-Plaza; Javier Ruiz-Rodríguez; Pedro Ruiz-Medina; Ediel O Ramos-Melendez; Pablo Rodríguez-Ortiz Journal: Inj Epidemiol Date: 2020-06-01
Authors: María Martínez-Rojas; María José Gacto; Autilia Vitiello; Giovanni Acampora; Jose Manuel Soto-Hidalgo Journal: Sensors (Basel) Date: 2021-09-27 Impact factor: 3.576
Authors: Jason-Alexander Hörauf; Christoph Nau; Nils Mühlenfeld; René D Verboket; Ingo Marzi; Philipp Störmann Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2022-01-28 Impact factor: 4.241
Authors: Christoph Nau; Maximilian Leiblein; René D Verboket; Jason A Hörauf; Ramona Sturm; Ingo Marzi; Philipp Störmann Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2021-05-25 Impact factor: 4.241