The epidemiology of major trauma in Northern Ireland

In a one year population based study of major trauma (Injury Severity Score greater than 15) reaching hospitals in Northern Ireland in 1990/91 the incidence was 23.2 per 100,000 of the population or 20.5 per 100,000 excluding terrorist activities. The expected number of patients with major trauma for the province, (population 1.54 million) is 359 patients per annum. Road accidents and falls accounted for 71% of all trauma. Ninetynine patients per annum are expected to require immediate surgery, a laparotomy in 59 instances and neurosurgical procedures in 26. These data facilitate resource allocation and help predict the effects of future changes in the trauma system.