[Cost and benefit of intensive care of seriously injured patients]

59 (82%) of 72 patients with multiple injuries but excluding severe brain trauma or paraplegia, studied 5 or 6 years after intensive care, were fully reintegrated, working normally, and not in receipt of insurance compensation. In patients with severe head injury studied 8 years after intensive care, 38 (55%) of 66 patients had the same final outcome. Disability due to head injury or paraplegia was the predominant factor in costs caused by trauma. Treatment during intensive care was found to be the most costly part of therapy. Considerations on costs and benefits demonstrate that the treatment of severely injured patients, who otherwise would die, results in a considerable social and economic saving (approximately 90 million Swiss francs for the 316 trauma patients analyzed).