Level I Trauma Centers Are Associated With Lower Adjusted In-Hospital Mortality After Operative Spine Trauma: Analysis of the 2023 United States National Trauma Data Bank
Retrospective cohort study compares in-hospital mortality among spine trauma patients at Level I and II centers, suggesting a survival advantage at Level I.
Key Points
To evaluate in-hospital mortality and complications in spine trauma patients treated at Level I versus Level II trauma centers.
Analyzed data from the National Trauma Data Bank
Compared adult patients with isolated spine trauma undergoing specific surgical procedures
Utilized multivariable logistic and linear regression for adjustments
Considered factors like demographics, injury severity, and hospital characteristics
Identified 10,295 patients: 6,588 at Level I and 3,707 at Level II
Level I patients had more severe spinal injuries and higher cervical spine injury rates
After adjustments, Level I treatment showed a 34% lower adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.66)
No significant differences in complications or length of stay were found