TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2018//
TI  - Evaluation of severe and fatal injuries in extreme and contact sports: an international multicenter analysis
JO  - Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery
A1  - Weber, Christian D.
A1  - Horst, Klemens
A1  - Nguyen, Anthony R.
A1  - Lefering, Rolf
A1  - Pape, Hans-Christoph
A1  - Hildebrand, Frank
SP  - 963
EP  - 970
VL  - 138
IS  - 7
N2  - PURPOSE: The participation in extreme and contact sports has grown internationally, despite the significant risk for major and multiple injuries. We conducted this multicenter study to evaluate sport-specific injury patterns and mechanisms, to characterize individuals at risk and to identify possible approaches for prevention. <br><br>METHODS: We compared demographic data, severity and patterns of injuries; and the pre- and in-hospital management from an international population-based prospective trauma database (TraumaRegister DGU®). The registry was screened for sport-related injuries, and only patients with major injuries [Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 9 points] related to extreme or contact sports activities were included (January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2012). Parameters were compared for different types of sports activities: (1) Airborne sports, (2) Climbing, (3) Skateboarding/Skating, (4) Contact sports. The following countries participated: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Slovenia, Belgium, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS (Version 22, IBM Inc., Armonk, New York). <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 278 athletes were identified within the study period and classified into four groups: Airborne sports (n = 105) were associated with the highest injury severity (ISS 22.4 ± 14.6), followed by climbing (n = 35, ISS 16.5 ± 12), skating (n = 67, ISS 15.2 ± 10.3) and contact sports (n = 71, ISS 10.4 ± 9.2). Especially high falls resulted in a significant rate of spinal injuries in airborne activities (68.6%, p < 0.001) and in climbing accidents (45.7%). Skating was associated with the highest rate of loss of consciousness (LOC) at scene (27.1%), the highest pre-hospital intubation rate (33.3%), and also the highest in-hospital mortality (15.2%, p < 0.001), related to major head injuries. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Extreme and contact sports related major injuries predominantly affect young male athletes. Especially skaters are at risk for debilitating and lethal head injuries. Individuals recognizing sport-specific hazards might modify their risk behavior. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Descriptive Epidemiologic Study, Level II.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0936-8051
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00402-018-2935-8
ID  - ref1
ER  -