Abstract
Introduction: Road traffic accidents are one of the ten leading causes of death worldwide. Every 23 seconds, one person is injured on the roads worldwide, which leads to significant consequences in terms of permanent disability for the injured and the burden on a country's healthcare system. The mortality rate in traffic accidents is highest among people aged 14 to 19, where central nervous system (CNS) injuries are predominant. The aim of this study was to examine the trend of mortality and injury frequency in traffic accidents in Montenegro as a result of CNS injuries.
Methods: The research was designed as an observational case-control study. Participants in traffic accidents in Montenegro who sustained severe bodily injuries or fatal outcomes between 2011 and 2020 due to CNS injuries were selected. The "control" group consisted of individuals who survived the immediate period following their injuries.
Results: In our study, there were 90 male participants (75.4%) with an average age of 39.97 ± 17.72 years, and 30 female participants (24.6%) with an average age of 41.60 ± 21.09 years (Independent samples T test, p=0.677). The most common immediate cause of death was brain tissue injury, isolated brain contusions – Laesio traumatica cerebri focalis (Contusio cerebri). There was a statistically significant impact of the presence of combined injuries on the outcome of traffic accidents, with a fatal outcome being most common in cases of polytrauma.
Conclusion: Mortality in traffic accidents due to head injuries was most common in cases of polytrauma. To preventably address the mortality rate in traffic accidents in Montenegro, it is necessary to form an accessible network of trauma centers, especially those capable of treating CNS injuries.