Abstract
Background
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have become popular within a short time. With its growing popularity, the number of admissions to emergency services due to e-scooter injuries has also increased. In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical and demographic characteristics of e-scooter injuries applied to our emergency department.
Methods
In this study, demographic data of e-scooter injuries, injury type and pattern, usage of the helmet and protective clothing, and pathological findings, which were detected as a result of injury, were analyzed retrospectively.
Results
We analyzed 70 e-scooter injuries (mean [SD] age 25.82 ± 8.04 years; 52.9% male). The most common reasons for admission to the emergency department were soft tissue trauma with a rate of 45.7% (n = 32) and head trauma with a rate of 40% (n = 28). Based on the performed examinations, orthopedic fractures and sprains were detected in 18.5% (n = 13) of the patients, while maxillofacial fractures were detected in 11.4% (n = 8). Helmet use was detected in 4.3% (n = 3) of e-scooter users, while 2.9% (n = 2) of the patients had a blood alcohol level of > 10 mg/dl. In our patient group, 4.3% (n = 3) were transferred to the ward and 1.4% (n = 1) to the intensive care unit.
Conclusions
We consider that serious injuries can be prevented by establishing legal regulations regarding the use of e-scooters and determining the appropriate routes for e-scooters, hence making e-scooters a safer means of transportation.
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Contributions
BGY and SC had the original idea for this study. BGY and SC designed it. BGY sought institutional approval, compiled, checked and analyzed the data, managed the study database, computed the results, and wrote the manuscript’ initial draft, including the text, tables, and figures. RG together worked on the statistical analyses. BGY, TZ, and DS all critically reviewed the study design, contributed to the collection and analysis of the data and the interpretation of mutations and results, and commented on and approved the final manuscript. SC submitted this study and is the corresponding author.
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Ethics approval
Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Health Sciences Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital to conduct this study.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
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Genc Yavuz, B., Zengin Temel, T., Satilmis, D. et al. Analysis of electric scooter injuries admitted to the emergency service. Ir J Med Sci 191, 915–918 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02628-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02628-w