Bilateral proximal amputations are coded in what way according to the ISS?

Bilateral proximal amputations are coded as combined in the Injury Severity Score (ISS) system. This classification acknowledges that such amputations, while occurring on both sides of the body, represent a single injury event that produces a significant impact on the individual's functional capacity.

In the ISS scoring, injuries are calculated based on their severity, with the highest score taken from each of the three most serious injuries in different body regions. Since bilateral amputations affect comparable anatomical locations and have similar functional ramifications, they are treated as a singular, severe injury rather than two separate injuries. This approach allows for a more accurate representation of the overall severity contributed by such an injury in a trauma registry context.

Understanding this coding is crucial for medical professionals and researchers in assessing injury severity accurately and allocating care based on the comprehensive impact of such injuries.