MULTIPLE INJURIES - AN OVERVIEW OF THE OUTCOME

To measure the functional outcome we analyzed 723 consecutive patients with multiple injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS)/Injury Severit y Score (ISS) greater than or equal to 16, mean ISS 30.1) treated at t he University Hospital Groningen, the Netherlands, between 1985 and 19 89. Age, sex, type of accident, AIS/ISS, discharge destination, length of hospital stay and functional outcome (measured by the Glasgow Outc ome Scale) are described. The patients were young (mean age 33.4 years ) and 186 died (25.7%) mainly because of severe head injuries. Half of the survivors could be discharged home and 29% were transferred to a rehabilitation center. Rehabilitation centers predominantly treat pati ents with severe injuries of the head or neck and extremities. These i njuries, together with spinal cord injuries, appeared to be responsibl e for the majority of permanent disabilities. Although the functional outcome deteriorated linearly with increasing AIS/ISS, the final funct ional result was good: in the first half year after injury there was c onsiderable recovery; after that there was further slight recuperation . Two years after injury, 68% had mild or no disabilities, 19% were mo derately disabled, and 7% severely disabled.