@article{ref1,
title="Forklift-related lower limb injuries: a retrospective case series study with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)",
journal="Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England",
year="2021",
author="Bage, T. and Ibrahim, M. and Baden, J. and Filobbos, G.",
volume="103",
number="10",
pages="730-733",
abstract="AIM: Forklift trucks can cause serious lower limb trauma with long-lasting sequelae to patients. The aim of this study was to analyse a case series of patients with forklift-related injuries over 7 years at a level 1 major trauma centre in the UK and present their patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) with long-term follow-up. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the largest case series study in the UK describing forklift injuries. <br><br>METHODS: Retrospective case note analysis of 19 patients over 7 years. Data including demographics, injury mechanism, pattern of injury, management, length of hospital stay, number of operations and complications were extracted from the notes. We used 'Enneking score' as a validated tool for PROMs. <br><br>RESULTS: Seventeen men and two women with mean age of 47 years; 20% had bilateral injuries and 34% had multi-level fractures. The mean number of theatre sessions was 5.21, while the mean length of hospital stay was 30.10 days. There was one mortality. Twelve patients (63%) required reconstruction with free tissue transfer, with one flap failure. The mean long-term Enneking percentage score was 57.33%. The mean Enneking score for patients in this study is lower than our institute's score for Gustilo 3B, highlighting the gravity of these injuries. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Forklifts can cause grave injuries with massive energy transfer. This study highlights the seriousness of those injuries, thus guiding patient counselling and optimising planning of management.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0035-8843",
doi="10.1308/rcsann.2020.7124",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1308/rcsann.2020.7124"
}