title: [Severe trauma patients in a mountain area: an observational study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objective was to estimate the nature, severity and medical care of severe trauma injuries following mountain activities as compared to severe trauma following traffic accident in a mountain area.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective comparative monocentric observational study at a University Hospital located in the northern Alps area, using the First national study database (French intensive care recorded in severe trauma).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and thirty-seven patients were included during a 2-year-period from January 2005 to December 2006. Three hundred and thirty-seven patients, including 223 traffic accidents and 114 mountain accidents were included. The survey data was achieved with a standardized method on a period of 30 days after the accident, and recorded in a computerized file for optimal completeness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study did not show higher severity or mortality rates in patients with mountain accidents. In both groups, we found a peak of mortality for young adults and similar causes of death. However, spinal cord injuries were statistically more frequent in mountain accidents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  So, it seems important to continuously warn population about dangers of this playground.
authors.affiliation: Pôle d'anesthésie-réanimation, CHU de Grenoble, BP 217, 38043 Grenoble cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jacquot
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mongenot
authors.forename: J-F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Payen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brun
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Albaladejo
authors.forename: J-L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bosson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freysz
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002423:Cause of Death; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000293:injuries*; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult