The e-scooter pandemic at a UK Major Trauma Centre: A cost-based cohort analysis of injury presentation and treatment

Ahluwalia, Raju; Grainger, Charlotte; Coffey, Duncan; Malhotra, Prabhjot-Singh; Sommerville, Charlotte; Tan, P Sze; Johal, Kavan S.; Sivaprakasam, Manju; Al-Musa, Omar; Janakan, G.; Din, Asmat H.; Reichert, Ines; Fan, Kathy

doi:10.1016/j.surge.2022.07.001

Cited by 18 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…E-scooters represent something new and nowadays more doctors and surgeons are publishing studies that correlate the use of this new means of transportation and the different types of traumas and fractures that they could cause. As shown in the studies conducted by Ahluwalia et al 3 at the Major Trauma Center in the United Kingdom and in those by Neuroth et al 4 where they used data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), it was highlighted how, especially in the last few years, the increase in popularity and the availability of these devices have also caused a significant increase in e-scooter–related trauma admissions, as our results also confirm. In comparison to seated vehicles, the scooter rider maintains a high center of gravity predisposing the rider toward impacts of the face and hands when falling.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

E-Scooter–Related Maxillofacial Fractures: A New Emerging Epidemic During the COVID-19 Period in the Province of Rome, Lazio, Italy: A Monocentric Study Review of 843 Patients Compared With the Pre-COVID-19 Two-Year Period

Piccolino,

Buonaccorsi,

Cerulli

et al. 2023

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery

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Introduction: Shared vehicles, such as e-scooters and electric bicycles, could potentially accelerate the transition toward sustainable mobility. Focusing on e-scooters, the aim of this study is to show, compared with previous years when e-scooter use was significantly reduced, the increased incidence of maxillofacial bone injuries from e-scooters and the most frequent type of fractures. Methods: We conducted a monocentric observational retrospective and prospective analysis during the pandemic, from January 1, 2020, until December 31, 2022, on patients’ access for maxillofacial traumas at the San Giovanni Addolorata emergency department, trauma hub center, for Lazio district. A total of 383 patients were included. Data on the causes of traumas, type of injury produced, age, gender, nationality, and helmet use were collected. Especially, we analyzed the e-scooter–related facial traumas that had gained a lot of popularity in this period due to the restriction in mobility because of Covid-19, subsequent reduced use of public transport, and the new benefits introduced by the government for e-scooters or bikes. We compared e-scooter facial trauma with all the other kinds of facial fracture etiologies during this period. Results: In our study, the most frequent causes of trauma were assaults (32.6%), accidental falls (24.2%), and sports activities (7.8%). The percentage of trauma among road traffic injuries was almost 24% of the total; in particular, motorcycle/e-scooter traumas was 7.1%, car crashes was 5.5%, pedestrian hits was 4.2%, and bike accidents was 3.1%. Other causes detected were syncope (5.5%), accidental traumas (1.8%), and epileptic crisis (1.1%). Focusing on road traffic injury access in our emergency department, compared with those between 2017 and 2019, it emerged that e-scooter–related facial traumas in the past two years have had a remarkable rise. In fact, there was a total of 27 patients (52% male and 48% female) instead of 5 between 2017 and 2019. The average age was 29 years. The most frequent types of e-scooter–related fractures were those to the nasal bones (29.7%), followed by mandibular fractures (unifocal 7.4%, bifocal 18.5%, trifocal 7.4%, and condylar 7.4%), zygomatic-maxillo fractures (18.4%), complex fractures (7.4%), and maxilla (3.7%). Among 27 observed electric scooter riders, nobody wore a helmet. Conclusions: Injuries associated with the use of e-scooters are a new phenomenon and mainly affect the craniofacial region due to the dynamic nature of the trauma. Although these vehicles have become increasingly common over the years and accepted within regulatory frameworks, the traffic rules are not ready to integrate e-scooters into the transport systems due to the lack of adequate legislation, and the lack of implementation in the form of facial safety devices or safety skills training for e-scooter riders.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

E-Scooter–Related Maxillofacial Fractures: A New Emerging Epidemic During the COVID-19 Period in the Province of Rome, Lazio, Italy: A Monocentric Study Review of 843 Patients Compared With the Pre-COVID-19 Two-Year Period

Piccolino,

Buonaccorsi,

Cerulli

et al. 2023

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery

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“…Current literature describe similar numbers with high rates of intoxicated riders [ 10 , 14 ]. However, compared to the UK, only a minority of the reported cases were associated with the influence of alcohol (7.4%), although riders were also predominantly male and aged between 18 and 35 [ 1 ]. We could observe a change in the injury pattern of intoxicated riders, suffering a traumatic brain injury twice as often.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

E-scooter accidents—epidemiology and injury patterns: 3-year results from a level 1 trauma center in Germany

Linhart,

Jägerhuber,

Ehrnthaller

et al. 2024

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg

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Introduction Since the introduction of e-scooters in Germany in 2019, they are becoming more and more popular and associated injuries have increased significantly. The aim of this study was to assess the injury patterns after e-scooter accidents. Materials and Methods From May 2019 to October 2022, all consecutive patients who presented at our emergency department (ED) following e-scooter accidents were included in our study and retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 271 patients were included in our study. The mean age was 33 years. 38% of the patients were female and 62% were male. Most common injuries were traumatic brain injuries in 38% of the patients together with fractures affecting the upper limb (17%). An operative treatment was necessary in 40 patients. Most of the patients presented at night and about 30% were under the influence of alcohol. Conclusions Our study shows one of the largest cohort of patients suffering e-scooter accidents in Europe. Compulsory helmet use, stricter alcohol controls and locking periods could contribute significantly to safety.

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“…Despite the potential environmental benefits, e‐scooter usage presents a growing public health concern with an increasing financial burden to local healthcare systems. Studies have attempted to quantify this cost, however, these estimates vary between countries and studies have been heterogenous in their method of cost determination 2,6,11–20 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have attempted to quantify this cost, however, these estimates vary between countries and studies have been heterogenous in their method of cost determination. 2,6,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] In Australia, rental e-scooters have recently become widely available in six out of seven states. In Victoria, the Government launched a trial of rental e-scooters on the 1st of February 2022.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of electric scooters in Melbourne: data from a major trauma service

Cevik,

Read,

Putland

et al. 2023

ANZ Journal of Surgery

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BackgroundThe proliferation of electric scooters globally has been associated with an increase in related injuries and consequent economic burden. This study aims to assess the injury patterns and the economic impact associated with electric scooter use in Melbourne, Australia.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using hospital and registry data from January 2022 to January 2023. Data collected included demographic details, alcohol and helmet use, injury type and severity, operative treatment provided, and direct medical costs. The economic impact (in AUD) of the patient's emergency presentation and hospital admission was calculated.ResultsDuring the study period, 256 electric scooter related injuries were recorded, comprising 247 riders and nine pedestrians. The majority of patients were males (69%) with a median age of 29.5 (15–78). Alcohol use was reported by 34% and helmet use by 33%. Injuries most commonly affected the upper limb (53%) and head (50%), with abrasions (75%) and fractures (48%) being the most common type of injury sustained. The total hospital cost was $1 911 062, and the median cost was $1321.66 per patient (IQR: $479.37–$5096.65).ConclusionElectric scooter usage, as observed through patient presentations to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, is associated with a considerable number of injuries, primarily among young males, and an ensuing substantial economic burden. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures to minimize electric scooter‐related injuries and their clinical and economic repercussions.

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The e-scooter pandemic at a UK Major Trauma Centre: A cost-based cohort analysis of injury presentation and treatment

Cited by 18 publications

References 12 publications

E-Scooter–Related Maxillofacial Fractures: A New Emerging Epidemic During the COVID-19 Period in the Province of Rome, Lazio, Italy: A Monocentric Study Review of 843 Patients Compared With the Pre-COVID-19 Two-Year Period

E-Scooter–Related Maxillofacial Fractures: A New Emerging Epidemic During the COVID-19 Period in the Province of Rome, Lazio, Italy: A Monocentric Study Review of 843 Patients Compared With the Pre-COVID-19 Two-Year Period

E-scooter accidents—epidemiology and injury patterns: 3-year results from a level 1 trauma center in Germany

The impact of electric scooters in Melbourne: data from a major trauma service

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