Impact of the Rising Number of Rentable E-scooter Accidents on Emergency Care in Berlin 6 Months After the Introduction: A Maxillofacial Perspective

Abstract

Study design: Retrospective study of all patients presented at our emergency department after an accident while riding an e-scooter between 15 June 2019 and 15 December 2019. Out of this group, we subgrouped all patients with injuries to the head and neck area.

Objective: Shared e-scooter systems have recently been introduced in many big cities worldwide and are becoming increasingly popular. This retrospective study aimed to give a detailed overview of clinical data on consequences of e-scooter accidents, with particular attention to the maxillofacial point of view.

Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective study of all patients presented at our emergency department after an accident while riding an e-scooter between June 15, 2019 and December 15, 2019.

Results: Within the observation period, 43 patients (mean age of 32 years; range: 17-64 years) suffered from an accident while riding an e-scooter. Of these, 25 patients (58%) required maxillofacial treatment whereby 9 patients (36%) suffered a fracture (56% fracture of the mandible; 33% fracture of the nasal bone; 11% fracture of the maxilla). Six patients required maxillofacial surgical treatment. Twelve patients (28%) stated to have been driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident (blood alcohol level between 0.77 g/L and 2.32 g/L). None of the patients used body protection, and only one patient wore a helmet (2%).

Conclusions: With the introduction of shared e-scooter systems, health-care facilities are faced with an increasing number of accidents related to the use of e-scooters, suffering from a high percentage of injuries in the maxillofacial region. Facial injuries might be reduced by the mandatory use of a helmet with faceguard. The trauma mechanism, in particular, seems to differ from other common trauma cases and needs to be examined more closely.

Keywords: e-scooter; electronic scooters; emergency care; oral maxillofacial surgery; trauma.

Figure 1.

Distribution of age, categorized by groups (under 18 years, 19–29 years, 30–39 years, 40–49 years, 50–59 years, 60–69 years, and over 70 years).

Figure 2.

Number of patients by gender and day of the week of injury occurrence.

Figure 3.

Time of arrival and gender divided into two groups: group 1 (07:30 am–05:00 pm) and group 2 (05:00 pm–07:30 am).

Figure 4.

Distribution of triage code (N = 43) following the Manchester Triage System.

Figure 5.

Distribution of all fractures and dental trauma after e-scooter-related injuries.