All-terrain vehicle related trauma: Analysis of injury patterns, safety equipment use and mortality

To determine age-specific patterns, effects of protective equipment use, and predictors of mortality in all-terrainvehicle (ATV)-related injuries. A total of 55 ATV-related trauma patients were retrospectively analyzed during the study period. Demographic characteristics, injury mechanisms, clinical findings and outcomes were evaluated. Injury patterns were compared according to age groups. Risk factors for mortality were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The mean age of the patients was 22.3±12.8 years and 67.3% were male. Half of the victims (50.9%) were aged 18 years or younger. The majority of accidents occurred with drivers (70.9%) and on the street (70.9%). The rate of protective equipment use at the time of the accident was 21.8%. The most common mechanism of injury was ejection from the vehicle (63.6%), followed by impingement injuries (21.8%) and direct collisions (14.5%). Limb injuries were more common in patients younger than 18 years of age (68.2% vs. 43.5%), while more severe thoracic trauma was observed in patients older than 40 years. Off-road accidents were associated with higher injury severity scores than street/street accidents (mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) 22.6 vs. 16.8, p25 (odds ratio (OR), 8.64), severe head injury (OR 6.92), multiple system involvement (OR 5.78) and lack of protective equipment (OR 4.23) were independent predictors of mortality. ATV accidents are an important public health problem that can lead to serious injuries and fatalities. Injury patterns differ according to age groups. Inadequate use of protective equipment and the severity of off-road accidents are noteworthy. It is important to develop safety measures specific to age groups and to expand the use of protective equipment.