Objective:
To describe the most prevalent injuries and performed procedures on the victims of the tornadoes in the United States.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was performed using National Trauma Data Bank. Tornado-related injuries were identified using the ICD-9. Patient’s information was collected on demographic, injury location, procedures, and clinical characteristics. Injury severity was measured by Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
Results:
From 2003-2013, 1,059 individual-injuries were included. Age was 44±39 years with 53% female. The length of hospital and ICU stay were 10±23 and 8±16 days respectively. The average ISS and GCS were 17±22 and 13±5, with 24.6% having a GCS < 8. Most common injury locations were thorax (53.3%), head (52.2%), lower (51.7%) and upper (53.6%) extremities. Severe injuries happened most commonly in the thorax (40.0%), head (15.2%), and lower extremities (15.2%). Head (85.6%), thorax (79.9%), and spinal (64.3%) injuries were the most common injuries among fatal cases. Severe thoracic injuries occurred nearly twice as common as severe head injuries (66.3% vs. 35.9%). Patients were equally admitted to the ICU (35.6%) or regular floor (31.5%) with 20.1% going to the OR before admission. The most common procedures were performed on skin/ soft tissue (17.9%); fractures/ dislocations (16.9%); injured vessels (11.0%); chest (7.9%); and muscle/ tendons (5.6%).
Conclusion:
While the head and thoracic injuries were most common, the latter was the most prevalent severe injury associated with mortality. Use of chest and helmet protection should be encouraged.
