[Evaluation of traffic accident cases admitted to the emergency department of the Cumhuriyet University Hospital in 1998].

BACKGROUND

In this study, we aimed to analyze traffic accident cases applying to the emergency department of the hospital of the Cumhuriyet University according to their age, sex, their position during crash, the place and time of the accident, the time to reach hospital, the type of vehicle and their lesion forms.

METHODS

The hospital files of cases applying to the emergency department of the hospital of the Cumhuriyet University for traffic accidents, between 01 January 31 December 1998, were investigated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of the cases, most (44.52%) were in the 1-25 age group, 41% was pedestrian. Of the accidents, 81.29% was at the inner part of the city, 44.03% occurred in the summer and 39.83% occurred at 12-18 hours, 44.52% reached to hospital in the first hour. The vehicle type in 60.80% of the cases was automobile, 14.28% of the cases involved in alcohol. The blunt injuries were seen usually, 47.50% of which was present in the head-neck region. 257 cases (41.45%) were hospitalized. 23 cases (3.71%) died because of traffic accidents.

CONCLUSIONS

The similar studies in literature were examined. The factors causing the traffic accident and the problems resulting from traffic accident were pointed out. The treatment manner in the traffic accident cases was suggested.