Advanced or basic life support for trauma: Meta-analysis and critical review of the literature

Background: The question of whether to use advanced life support (ALS) or b asic life support (BLS) for trauma patients in the prehospital setting has been much debated and still lacks a clear answer. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive critical review of the literature regarding this controversy Methods: A total of 174 articles on prehospital ALS or BLS for trauma were reviewed. Fifteen of these studies were found to involve mortality statisti cs for both ALS- and BLS-treated patients. Odds ratios were calculated for survival in ALS versus BLS and summarized across studies on the basis of mu ltivariate scoring systems that incorporated both design and methodological assessment. Overall odds ratios for all studies were calculated on the bas is of both raw data from the papers, and weighted odds ratios were calculat ed from the scoring systems. Results: Six studies were scored as being methodologically average (5 favor ing BLS and 1 favoring ALS), two were scored as good (1 favoring BLS and 1 favoring ALS), seven as excellent (6 favoring BLS and 1 favoring ALS), Ten studies had an average study design score (6 favoring BLS and 4 favoring AL S) and seven had a good study design score (6 favoring BLS and 1 favoring A LS), Weighted odds ratio for dying was 2.59 for patients receiving ALS comp ared with those receiving BLS, The crude odds ratio was 2.92. Conclusion: The aggregated data in the literature have failed to demonstrat e a benefit for on-site ALS provided to trauma patients and support the sco op and run approach.