[Polytrauma in cyclists. Incidence, etiology, and injury patterns].
BACKGROUND
In our region we have noticed an increasing number of cyclists and consequently a rise in bicycle-related accidents in recent years. A large number of our polytraumatized patients are victims of bicycle-related accidents.


METHODS
Retrospectively we analyzed the data of our polytraumatized patients recorded between May 2003 and June 2004 for bicycle-related injuries. Of 153 polytraumatized patients treated in our emergency room 32 were cyclists (21%). The average age of our polytraumatized cyclist was 42 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1:1.


RESULTS
The median score on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) after the accident was 8 (min. 3, max. 15), the median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 24 (min. 18, max. 41), and the median Polytrauma Score (PTS) was 23 (min. 14, max. 51). A total of 30 patients (94%) suffered a head injury; in 28 patients (88%) the head injury was the leading diagnosis. The median score on the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) Head was 4 (min. 1, max. 5), the AIS Thorax 3 (min. 2, max. 4), and the AIS Extremities 3 (min, 2, max. 5). Our data were also compared with the official injury statistics of the region and the current literature.


CONCLUSIONS
The most frequent and most severe injury was the head injury (94%). Of the 32 polytraumatized cyclists 30 did not wear a helmet. Successful prevention could possibly be practiced if all cyclists wear helmets.
Strohm
P C
PC
Department für Orthopädie und Traumatologie, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. strohm@ch11.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Südkamp
N P
NP
Zwingmann
J
J
El Saman
A
A
Köstler
W
W
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000209:etiology