The cases of multiple trauma admitted in the University Clinic Hospital of Valencia
during 1992 were epidemiologically assessed. A group of 180 patients were finally admitted in
the Trauma Unit from a total of 285 hospital admittances. There were 133 men and 47 women,
with mean age of 33 years. Age, sex, etiology, period of hospital discharge, type of injury, associated
lesions and treatment were recorded from clinical charts. The age group between 11 and 40
years was the most frequently affected. Traffic accident was the most important cause of injury.
The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) for the hole series was 12,4 (3-48). Isolated musculoskeletal
injury was found in 75% of the cases. Associated lesions were head trauma (76 cases), thoracic
trauma (seven cases) and abdominal trauma (six cases). More than two combinations were found
in 16 cases. A total of 345 fractures were recorded (1.9 fractures per patient). The highest frequency
was observed in the lower extremity (48%). The tibia was the most affected bone. Conservative
treatment was applied in 166 cases, while 183 cases were treated surgically (1.1 surgeries
per patient). The mean hospital discharge was 14 days. Patients with ISS > 9 showed a significant
higher hospital stay as compared to those with ISS < 9.

The cases of multiple trauma admitted in the University Clinic Hospital of Valencia
during 1992 were epidemiologically assessed. A group of 180 patients were finally admitted in
the Trauma Unit from a total of 285 hospital admittances. There were 133 men and 47 women,
with mean age of 33 years. Age, sex, etiology, period of hospital discharge, type of injury, associated
lesions and treatment were recorded from clinical charts. The age group between 11 and 40
years was the most frequently affected. Traffic accident was the most important cause of injury.
The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) for the hole series was 12,4 (3-48). Isolated musculoskeletal
injury was found in 75% of the cases. Associated lesions were head trauma (76 cases), thoracic
trauma (seven cases) and abdominal trauma (six cases). More than two combinations were found
in 16 cases. A total of 345 fractures were recorded (1.9 fractures per patient). The highest frequency
was observed in the lower extremity (48%). The tibia was the most affected bone. Conservative
treatment was applied in 166 cases, while 183 cases were treated surgically (1.1 surgeries
per patient). The mean hospital discharge was 14 days. Patients with ISS > 9 showed a significant
higher hospital stay as compared to those with ISS < 9.