Is the treatment of the most severe multiply injured patients worth the effort? A follow-up examination 5 to 20 years after severe multiple injury.

Ninety-two most severely injured patients--with injuries to at least four body regions with a mean ISS of 39--were examined at the outpatient clinic 5 to 20 years after the trauma. In addition, nine patients were interviewed by phone, thus 92.6% of the patients still alive were contacted. Of those who were not retired before the injury 59 of 82 (72%) had been able to return to work and most of them were still working at the time of the followup. The main reasons for inability to work were brain and spinal cord injuries, blindness, and 'failure in re-education.' Most complaints arose from sequelae of brain, pelvic, and upper and lower extremity injuries. Only seven patients needed constant medication because of their injuries. We conclude that the treatment of even the most severely injured patients with multiple injuries is certainly worth the effort.