title: Incidence of orthopedic surgery intervention in a level I urban trauma center with motorcycle trauma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study summarizes orthopedic injuries sustained in motorcycle collisions in patients presenting to a Level I trauma center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of orthopedic injuries in motorcycle trauma victims brought into the emergency department. Of 2,634 presenting cases, 151 were identified as involving motorcycle collisions. Variables included age, gender, mechanism of injury, type and location of injury, concomitant injuries, length of hospitalization, number of orthopedic procedures during primary admission, and subsequent readmission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 71.5% of patients required orthopedic consultation. Average age was 35.0 years, with men injured at a ratio of 8:1. The most common mechanism of injury was motorcycle versus automobile (n=48). A total of 206 fractures in 108 patients were discovered. The most common site of fracture involved the lower extremities. Open reduction with internal fixation was performed on 110 fractures (69 patients) during primary admission. Fifty-seven patients (52.8%) sustained open fractures requiring emergent orthopedic intervention. Fifty-three patients had various concomitant complications. Two patients died during initial hospitalization. Average hospitalization for patients without orthopedic consultation was 11.9 days versus 13.8 days with orthopedic consultation. The average number of orthopedic procedures performed on patients was 1.6.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Motorcycle collisions frequently involve patients in their working prime, thus placing substantial burden on the individual and society. Although these patients must continue to receive Level I trauma care, strengthened prevention and improved education efforts are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, USA.
authors.forename: Nirav H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jakoi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katsman
authors.forename: Susan P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Tom
authors.forename: Douglas L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cerynik
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009049:Motorcycles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*