title: Patterns and implications of lower extremity injuries in a community level I trauma center.
abstract: This study examined specific types of lower extremity injuries, their treatment, and trends in length of stay (LOS) as seen in an academic community hospital. The authors' trauma registry was queried for lower extremity injuries requiring surgical intervention from 1992 to 2000. A total of 5567 patients were identified. A total of 574 patients with 857 injuries met the criteria. The only significant difference in injury severity score among various injury types was found between traumatic amputations and open fractures (P = 0.006). However, there was no statistical difference between these 2 groups with regard to LOS. Patients requiring 1 or 2 procedures had a significantly shorter LOS than those requiring 3 procedures (P = 0.002 and P = 0.021 respectively). In this population of patients, it was not the manner of initial reconstruction, but the number of reconstructive procedures required that had an impact on LOS. LOS reduction might be possible when patients with lower injury severity scores can be treated in a more efficient manner.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Lehigh Valley Hospital, Department of Surgery, Allentown, PA 18105-1556, USA.
authors.forename: Grant A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fairbanks
authors.forename: Robert X
authors.initials: RX
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Wasser
authors.forename: W Michael
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Morrissey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged