Major trauma during COVID-19 in a level 1 trauma centre in Switzerland – a cohort study comparing the years 2020 and 2019

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions may have modified activities of Swiss population thus altered trauma patterns. MATERIALS AND PATIENTS: All adult patients with major admitted to our institution in 2019 2020 were assessed using Injury Severity Score (ISS), by body region involved, type injury, age, admission an intensive care unit 30-day mortality. RESULTS: In 2020, 454 institution, 17% fewer than previous year. drop number proceeded overlapped both first second peaks incidence restrictions. median ISS was higher (25, interquartile range [IQR] 17—26.5) (22, IQR 16—26, p = 0.04). There no significant differences injury or age (p >0.05). a percentage (86.5% vs 77.7%, <0.001) died within 30 days (8.8% 5.0%, 0.015). mortality 2019, odds ratio 1.80 (95% confidence interval 1.04—3.10, p= 0.036) after adjustment for following potential confounders: ISS, gender injury. CONCLUSION: year pandemic, institution. However, more severely injured often days. Understanding patterns admissions under special conditions – such as could help allocate rare resources adequately.