A second injury in the same body region is associated with lower mortality than a second injury in a different body region.

Abstract

Hypothesis: A second injury in the same body region is associated with lower mortality than a second injury in a different body region, independently of injury severity and body region.

Methods: The population consisted of 15,200 patients with two or more injuries from level I trauma centers in Quebec. The mortality odds ratio of having a same-region second injury (SR) as opposed to a different-region second injury (DR) was assessed.

Results: Patients with a SR had 43% lower odds of mortality when compared to patients with a DR.

Conclusion: A second injury in the same body region is associated with lower mortality than a second injury in a different body region.