Maxillofacial injuries caused by all-terrain vehicle accidents

With the rise in popularity of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), especially in r ural America, injuries associated with their use are becoming more commonpl ace. A retrospective review was conducted of 153 patients with ATV-related injuries seen at West Virginia University Hospitals between January 1990 an d June 1996. Of these patients, 33 had maxillofacial injuries, Only 2 of 21 (9.5%) patients noted to be wearing helmets had facial injuries, whereas 1 7 of 19 (89.5%) patients who had facial injuries were not wearing helmets, Most patients with maxillofacial injuries occurring at night had been drink ing alcohol. Injury Severity Scores were worse for those patients with maxi llofacial injuries, as well as for those patients who had been drinking alc ohol. Patients with maxillofacial injuries were more likely to require a st ay in the intensive care unit. Furthermore, children with facial injuries h ad higher Injury Severity Scores and longer hospital stays than the adults. To reduce these accidents and related injuries, the industry, local and fe deral governments, and ultimately individuals must change their attitudes r egarding these potentially dangerous vehicles.