A retrospective analysis of facial trauma related to e-scooter injuries in level 1 trauma centre - London

ABSTRACT

Background: Electric scooters (e-scooters) have become a popular mode of transportation. There use has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which called for methods of transport allowing social distancing. Here we investigated injury patterns in patients presenting with escooter related trauma in a major trauma centre. Method(s) We retrospectively evaluated all e-scooter injuries presenting to our adult emergency department unit between March 2018 and March 2021. Case notes were retrieved through our electronic patient record system. Specifically, we focused on facial injuries and calculated costs associated with managing them. Result(s) A total of 299 patients were seen with injuries relating to e-scooter. 209 (70%) were male and 90 (30%) Female. Age range was between 18 and 78. 31 cases had major injuries and needed admission. The majority of injuries (30%) were related to upper extremity followed by (26%) lower extremity. 19% (53) of injuries involved the head and neck area. 20% (11) of these specifically needed admission. There was more than 50% increase in total number of injury in quarter 1 in 2021 comparing to same period in 2020 in keeping with the UK opening up from lockdown. Conclusion(s) Our results show there is an increase in number of injuries caused by e-scooter. This is in keeping with e-scooter becoming more popular mode of transport after the start of the pandemic. A significant proportion of these injuries are treated in the maxillofacial department. We believe our study can make treating clinicians aware of common injury patterns, guide further research and help inform policy change to improve e-scooter safety.