Penetrating trauma in Auckland: 12 years on

The current spectrum of penetrating trauma presenting to Auckland Hospital is described and whether this differs from the situation in 1983 is determined.

Prospectively collected trauma registry data were used to describe the characteristics of penetrating trauma cases presenting to Auckland Hospital during the 1995 calendar year. Using data collected from a previous study in 1983, comparisons were made of the incidence, severity, and outcome of penetrating trauma cases between these two cohorts.

In 1995, 96 patients, representing 7.3% of total trauma admissions, presented to Auckland Hospital following penetrating trauma. Of these, 32 patients were admitted by the trauma team via the resuscitation room, 13 were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and four died. The median age of these patients was 30 years and median Injury Severity Score, 4. In comparison with the 1983 patients there was no demonstrable change in the numbers of patients or their length of stay. Although injury severity was similar in the 1995 cohort, fewer patients were admitted to the ICU. Mortality of the 'trauma team' group was 4/32 in 1995 compared with 7/33 in 1983.

Despite public concerns, the frequency of penetrating trauma cases presenting to Auckland Hospital was similar in 1995 and 1983. There is a non-significant decrease in length of stay and mortality in the 1995 cohort.