A hidden danger of childhood trauma: bicycle handlebar injuries.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate childhood bicycle handlebar injuries.


METHODS
We evaluated retrospectively 14 patients who presented with bicycle handlebar injuries within a 3-year period. Bicycle injuries not caused by the handlebar were excluded.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 8.8 +/- 2 years (range, 5-12 years) and 79% were boys. The injuries comprised gastrointestinal perforation in 21%, traumatic abdominal hernia in 21%, and spleen laceration in 14%. The three children with intestinal perforation and the one with a penetrating abdominal injury underwent surgery, whereas the others were treated medically. An isolated traumatic abdominal hernia resolved spontaneously. There was no mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Although bicycle handlebar injuries occur at relatively low speeds, the transfer of energy from the end of the handlebar, with a small cross-sectional area, to a small field leads to intra-abdominal injuries that are more severe than predicted. Thus, bicycle handlebar injuries should be considered as a serious intraabdominal injury until proven otherwise.
Karaman
Ibrahim
I
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Karaman
Ayşe
A
Aslan
Mustafa Kemal
MK
Erdoğan
Derya
D
Cavuşoğlu
Yusuf Hakan
YH
Tütün
Ozden
O
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies