@article{ref1,
title="A hidden danger of childhood trauma: bicycle handlebar injuries",
journal="Surgery today",
year="2009",
author="Karaman, Ibrahim and Karaman, Ayse and Aslan, Mustafa Kemal and Erdoğan, Derya and Cavuşoğlu, Yusuf Hakan and Tütün, Ozden",
volume="39",
number="7",
pages="572-574",
abstract="PURPOSE: To evaluate childhood bicycle handlebar injuries. METHODS: We evaluated retrospectively 14 patients who presented with bicycle handlebar injuries within a 3-year period. Bicycle injuries not caused by the handlebar were excluded. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 8.8 +/- 2 years (range, 5-12 years) and 79% were boys. The injuries comprised gastrointestinal perforation in 21%, traumatic abdominal hernia in 21%, and spleen laceration in 14%. The three children with intestinal perforation and the one with a penetrating abdominal injury underwent surgery, whereas the others were treated medically. An isolated traumatic abdominal hernia resolved spontaneously. There was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Although bicycle handlebar injuries occur at relatively low speeds, the transfer of energy from the end of the handlebar, with a small cross-sectional area, to a small field leads to intra-abdominal injuries that are more severe than predicted. Thus, bicycle handlebar injuries should be considered as a serious intra-abdominal injury until proven otherwise.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0941-1291",
doi="10.1007/s00595-008-3931-3",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00595-008-3931-3"
}