Epidemiological overview of Brazilian hospital records of vascular trauma by anatomical region over the last 20 years

Trauma is an important cause of hospitalizations and surgeries in emergency services, with high morbidity and mortality rates and in Brazil, it presents relevant statistics, with variations in mechanisms and topographies depending on the context. This study analyzed hospital data on vascular traumas by anatomical region in the Unified Health System (SUS) over the past 20 years, seeking to highlight relevant epidemiological information according to the particularities of vascular injuries in the Brazilian context. Ecological, descriptive, time-series study with a quantitative approach. Data were obtained through SIH/SUS, via TABWIN/DATASUS, between February and April 2024, referring to hospital admission records for the surgical treatment of vascular trauma, according to specific coding. There was a higher concentration of hospitalizations between 2012 and 2016, peaking in 2012, and a slight declining trend until 2024, with the highest number of hospitalizations (32%) in the Southeast. Men accounted for 76.6% of hospitalizations, but the relative risk of death was higher among women (RR=1.36). Upper limbs were the most affected, while abdominal traumas presented the highest lethality (22.1%) and lower limbs the longest hospital stay (6.6 days). Most procedures were performed under emergency conditions (88.4%), representing the highest mortality rate (6.3%). Although the majority of hospitalizations occurred among the population aged 15 to 49 years (60%), the highest mortality rates were observed at the age extremes: infants (11%) and the group over 50 years (10%).