E-scooter-related facial injuries: a one-year review following implementation of a citywide trial. Br Dent J 2023; 234: 102-105.
This is a retrospective study that was conducted by the oral and maxillofacial department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham to investigate facial injuries associated with e-scooter use during the trial period in Birmingham and to explore the wider safety implications of these devices. Data were collected from emergency department consultations, oral and maxillofacial consultations, and theatre procedures via an in-house database. A total number of 29 patients with 42 facial injuries involving e-scooters were identified. Of those patients, 59% (n = 17) were men aged under 30; 41% (n = 12) were under the influence of alcohol or cannabis; and 34% (n = 10) were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident. Falling was the most commonly reported mechanism of injury (72.4%; 21 patients), followed by different types of collisions (ie e-scooter vs car, pedestrian vs e-scooter, and e-scooter vs e-scooter). The most common facial injuries were soft tissue lacerations (n = 24), followed by mid-face fractures (n = 9). Other injuries such as dentoalveolar and mandibular fractures have also been reported. While some patients were managed conservatively, 69% (n = 20) of them needed surgical operations for their maxillofacial injuries. Of note, 100% of patients (n = 12) who were recorded as having consumed alcohol or cannabis required operative management.
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