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. 2022 Aug;6(3):268-269.
doi: 10.5811/cpcem2022.6.57128.

Snocross "Shark-bite" Laceration

Affiliations

Snocross "Shark-bite" Laceration

Wyatt Telken et al. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Case presentation: A snowmobile racer fell from his sled and was run over by another, sustaining "shark bite" to his hand and leg. He was evacuated to a trackside medical trailer where the characteristic wounds were felt to require further exploration at a hospital.

Discussion: "Shark bite" is a colloquial term for lacerations sustained from metal studs attached to a snowmobile's track. "Shark-bite" lacerations may be more prone to complications than other lacerations commonly sustained in motorsports events.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: By the CPC-EM article submission agreement, all authors are required to disclose all affiliations, funding sources and financial or management relationships that could be perceived as potential sources of bias. The authors disclosed none.

Figures

Image 1
Image 1
Image of the patient’s right hand on presentation to the hospital, demonstrating a laceration (arrow) to the dorsal side between the fourth and fifth metacarpals. Patient had weakness to extension of the right fingers and was found to have extensor tendon lacerations.
Image 2
Image 2
Image of the left thigh and calf demonstrating four deep lacerations as well as multiple abrasions. These lacerations (arrows) are referred to as “shark bite” in the world of Snocross competition due to their resemblance to wounds experienced by those in a shark attack. They occur when the rider is run over by the metal treads of the snowmobile track. They are powerful enough to tear through the racer’s thick winter gear to cause these deep lacerations.
Image 3
Image 3
After washout and repair in the operating room, the leg in the image demonstrates closure of the lacerations (arrows) to the left lower extremity.

References

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