Electric scooter craniofacial trauma

Abstract

ObjectiveThe use of standing electronic scooters associated with micromobility applications (e‐scooters) has risen nationally. The aim of this study was to obtain a detailed view of soft tissue and bony craniofacial injury associated with e‐scooter‐related trauma.MethodsSingle‐institution retrospective case series of patients presenting to a level 1 trauma center emergency department or trauma unit with documented e‐scooter‐related craniofacial injury.ResultsOf 203 included patients, 188 (92.6%) patients sustained craniofacial injury. One hundred thirty‐one (64.5%) had exclusively soft tissue injury, 3 (1.5%) exclusively bony injury, 51 (25.1%) both soft and bony injuries, and twenty‐five (12.3%) patients sustained dental injury. Aesthetic units most frequently sustaining acute soft tissue injury were the forehead (n = 106, 34.6%), scalp (n = 36, 11.8%), chin (n = 34, 11.1%), upper lip (n = 32, 10.5%), and cheek (n = 31, 10.1%). Aesthetic subunits most often sustaining acute soft tissue injury included the brow (42, 13.7%), central forehead (39, 12.7%), lateral forehead (n = 25, 8.2%), and upper lip vermillion (n = 23, 7.5%). Craniofacial osseous fracture most often occurred in the orbit (n = 42, 24.6%) and maxilla (n = 40, 23.4%). Individual osseous segments most frequently sustaining acute fracture included the anterior maxillary sinus wall (n = 22, 12.9%), nasal bone (n = 20, 11.7%), lateral orbital wall (n = 16, 9.4%), orbital floor (n = 15, 8.8%), and zygomatic bone (13, 7.6%).ConclusionsOur analysis demonstrates that most patients presenting to our center with craniofacial trauma sustained acute bony fracture, most often to the midface. Our data of common injuries associated with e‐scooter trauma could inform implementation in the form of facial safety equipment or safety skills training for e‐scooter riders.Level of evidence4

What to expect? Injury patterns of Electric-Scooter accidents over a period of one year - A prospective monocentric study at a Level 1 Trauma Center

“…In 6.78% of all accidents ( n = 4), the consumption of alcohol and the resulting accident led to severe head or facial injuries, which made inpatient admission for monitoring (subarachnoid bleeding, alcohol intoxication) or surgical treatment (multi-fragmentary mandibular fractures) necessary. In a study from San Diego, alcohol consumption was documented in 45.8% ( n = 93) of 206 accidents [ 5 ]. We believe that the number of undetected cases is certainly higher in our study, since not every patient was routinely drawn blood for alcohol testing.…”

Evaluation of Electric Scooter Head and Neck Injuries in Paris, 2017-2019

“…Although trauma caused by e-scooters is poorly described in the literature, recently there has been an increased number of scientific publications on e-scooter–related injuries. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 Most published articles were retrospective observational studies from the United States.…”

Intoxication is a Significant Risk Factor for Severe Craniomaxillofacial Injuries in Standing Electric Scooter Accidents

“…Subsequent authors have focused on the craniomaxillofacial region but only divided injuries into the ''upper face,'' ''midface,'' ''lower face,'' and ''multiple regions.'' 5 Faraji et al 6 performed an in-depth analysis of soft tissue and bony injuries after standing electric scooter use. They used anatomically specific categories such as ''dorsum of nose,'' lateral canthus,'' ''condyle of mandible,'' and ''posterior table of frontal sinus.''…”

“…Intoxication with alcohol, marijuana, and/or other illicit drugs appears to be prevalent in standing electric scooter injuries, ranging from 4.8 to 50%. [4][5][6][7] However, studies vary in whether intoxication status is patientreported, verified by a laboratory test/blood test, or physician-documented. Helmets were seldom used in patients presenting to the emergency room with injuries, with usage as low as 6.7 to 18.4%, after standing electric scooter use.…”