Citation

Rashid J, Wu S, Abdelrahman A, McMillan K. Br. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.bjoms.2023.11.008

PMID

38238115

Abstract

The nationwide extension of the electric scooter (e-scooter) scheme, which began in 2020, aimed to alleviate public transport congestion, to reduce pollution and peak-time road traffic. This retrospective study evaluates the range of e-scooter-related maxillofacial trauma before the recent scheme extension and compares the findings with existing literature on this topic. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK) operates as a Level 1 Regional Major Trauma Centre and serves a population of four million. All patient records between September 2021 to September 2022 were analysed to establish the types of e-scooter-related maxillofacial trauma sustained. A Pearson's chi-squared test was used to assess for significant associations between variables recorded. Falls accounted for the majority of injuries (44.3%), and soft tissue lacerations were the most common maxillofacial injury (38%). Statistically significant results were measured in the following variables: gender and intoxication status (p = 0.007), helmet status and injuries sustained in maxillofacial and non-maxillofacial regions (p = 0.043), mechanism of injury and injuries sustained in both the maxillofacial and non-maxillofacial regions (p = 0.045). E-scooters are an emerging concern within the UK. Further studies across the UK are required to assess the frequency of e-scooter-related injuries. Such data may prove useful in determining the government's decision on e-scooter use on UK roads.

Language: en

Keywords

e-scooter; electric scooter; facial; Maxillofacial; OMFS