Improvements in trauma survival in Leeds.

One hundred and eighty-six cases of major trauma (Injury Severity Score > 15) admitted to the two Leeds hospitals in 1988/89 were compared with 198 cases admitted in 1992/93 to ascertain if a system of trauma care which had evolved in the hospitals during this time had affected outcome of these patients. Injury severity score, age, and sex distribution were similar for the two groups. There were significantly fewer deaths in 1992/93, particularly in those patients with a score less than 41. It would appear that the emphasis, since 1988, on timely and definitive management of patients with major trauma has led to improved survival of the seriously injured in Leeds.