The impact of violent injuries on an NHS plastic surgery unit.
BACKGROUND
Violence and injuries caused by violence appear to be increasing.


METHODS
A prospective study of violent injuries treated in our unit.


RESULTS
Over a 5-month period, 148 (21%) of 704 acute admission patients aged 14 years or more and 11 children had injuries due to violence. The head, neck and hands were the commonest sites of injury. Of the 148 patients, 144 (91%) underwent surgery for their injuries.


CONCLUSIONS
Injuries due to violence have a significant effect on the resources of our NHS hospital and probably of all NHS hospitals with acute surgical services.
Thornton
D J A
DJ
Department of Plastic Surgery, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK.
Timmons
M J
MJ
Majumder
S
S
Kranidhiotis
N M
NM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*