Mortality determiners for fall from height cases

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of body mass index (BMI) and trauma severity score systems on the mortality rates of patients undergoing surgery due to falls from height. METHODS: This retrospective study included 45 consecutive adult patients with multitrauma who were admitted and operated on due to a fall from height between January 2008 and December 2016. Patients were divided into mortality and recovery groups (n=10 and n=35, respectively). The groups were compared in terms of age, gender, weight, cause of the fall, height of the fall, location of the fall, BMI, trauma scores (Injury Severity Score [ISS], New Injury Severity Score [NISS], Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS], Abbreviated Injury Score [AIS], Revised Trauma Score [RTS]), hospital stay, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, and height or cause of the fall (p>0.05), whereas there was a statistically significant difference with respect to weight and BMI values (p<0.01). A statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in terms of hospital stay and postoperative complications (p<0.01) and ISS, NISS, GCS, AIS, and RTS scores (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of weight and BMI on the mortality rate of patients presenting with trauma as a result of a fall from height was objectively demonstrated in the present study.