@article{ref1,
title="Facing facts: facial injuries from stand-up electric scooters",
journal="Curēus",
year="2020",
author="Alwani, Mohamedkazim and Jones, Alexander J. and Sandelski, Morgan and Bandali, Elhaam and Lancaster, Benjamin and Sim, Michael W. and Shipchandler, Taha and Ting, Jonathan",
volume="12",
number="1",
pages="e6663-e6663",
abstract="Background Stand-up electric scooters (SES) are a popular public transportation method. Numerous safety concerns have arisen since their recent introduction. <br><br>METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients presenting to the emergency departments in Indianapolis, who sustained SES-related injuries. <br><br>RESULTS A total of 89 patients were included in our study. The average patient age was 29 ± 12.9 years in a predominantly male cohort (65.2%). No patient was documented as wearing a helmet during the event of injury. Alcohol intoxication was noted in 14.6% of accidents. Falling constituted the leading trauma mechanism (46.1%). Injuries were most common on Saturday (24.7%) from 14h00 to 21h59 (55.1%). Injury types included: abrasions/contusions (33.7%), fractures (31.5%), lacerations (27.0%), or joint injuries (18.0%). The head and neck region (H&N) was the most frequently affected site (42.7%). Operative management under general anesthesia was necessary for 13.5% of injuries. Nonoperative management primarily included conservative orthopedic care (34.8%), pain management with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (34.8%) and/or opioids (4.5%), bedside laceration repairs (27.0%), and wound dressing (10.1%). Individuals sustaining head and neck injuries were more likely to be older (33.8 vs. 25.7 years, p=0.003), intoxicated by alcohol (29.0% vs. 3.9%, p=0.002), and requiring CT imaging (60.5% vs. 9.8%, p <0.001). <br><br>CONCLUSION Although SESs provide a convenient transportation modality, unregulated use raises significant safety concerns. More data need to be collected to guide future safety regulations.<br><br>Copyright © 2020, Alwani et al.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2168-8184",
doi="10.7759/cureus.6663",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.6663"
}