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Cureus2023; 15(3); e35746; doi: 10.7759/cureus.35746

Horse and Cattle-Related Trauma: A Retrospective Review of Injuries and Management in a Regional Queensland Hospital.

Abstract: Horse and cattle-related trauma is a common presentation to regional hospitals in Australia. We review local incidence and patterns of injuries relating to horse and cattle trauma over a three-year period at the Toowoomba Base Hospital within the Darling Downs region in Queensland, an area rich in cattle farming and equestrian recreation. Methods: We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study. The inclusion criteria were all patients presenting with injuries following cattle or horse-related incidents between January 2018 and April 2021. Primary outcomes were the mechanism of trauma, confirmed injuries, and the need for admission, operative intervention, or inter-hospital transfer. Results: A total of 1002 individuals (55% female; mean age 34 years; median Injury Severity Score (ISS) 2) were identified during the study period. Presentations relating to horses (81%) were more frequent than cattle (19%). The most common mechanism of injury was "falling" for horse incidents (68%) and "trampling" for cattle incidents (40%). Horse incidents often resulted in soft tissue injury (55%), upper limb fracture (19%), or lower limb fracture (9%). Cattle incidents often resulted in soft tissue injury (57%), upper limb fracture (15%), and rib fracture (15%). Overall, 14% required admission, 13% required operative intervention, and 1% required inter-hospital transfer. Conclusions: This local series demonstrates a high volume of cattle and horse-related trauma in our region. Whilst most patients are managed locally without operative intervention, the high frequency of injuries observed necessitates further development of preventative measures and safety advocacy.
Copyright © 2023, Savage et al.
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Publication Date: 2023-03-03 PubMed ID: 36895523PubMed Central: PMC9988439DOI: 10.7759/cureus.35746Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article focuses on the analysis of injuries obtained from horse and cattle-related incidents, their patterns, severity, and management over a period of three years, in a regional hospital in Queensland, Australia, with the aim to understand the need for preventative measures and safety advocacy.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study, in which past records and data were used to identify and analyze patterns related to the problem at hand.
  • During the period of January 2018 to April 2021, all patients that came in with injuries following incidents related to cattle or horses were included in the study.
  • The primary outcomes observed were the mechanisms of trauma, the confirmed injuries, and the patient’s subsequent need for admission, operative intervention, or transfer to another hospital.

Results

  • Over the period of the study, 1002 individuals were identified, comprising of more female subjects. The presentations related to horses were distinctly more common than those related to cattle.
  • The study found that the most prevalent mechanism of injury was ‘falling’ for incidents involving horses, and ‘trampling’ for those involving cattle.
  • Typically, horse-related incidents resulted in soft tissue injuries, upper limb fractures, and lower limb fractures. On the other hand, cattle-related incidents caused soft tissue injuries, as well as upper limb and rib fractures.
  • Moreover, out of all the individuals, 14% required admission into the hospital, while 13% needed operative intervention, and only 1% required a transfer to another hospital.

Conclusion

  • The research enlightens the high frequency and volume of horse and cattle-related trauma in the surveyed region in Australia. It illustrates the need and importance for adequate preventative measures and safety advocacy.
  • Additionally, the results of the study justifies the need for operative intervention only in a small percentage of cases, emphasizing that most patients can be managed locally.

Cite This Article

APA
Savage G, Liesegang A, Campbell J, Lyon M, Fry D. (2023). Horse and Cattle-Related Trauma: A Retrospective Review of Injuries and Management in a Regional Queensland Hospital. Cureus, 15(3), e35746. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.35746

Publication

Cureus
ISSN: 2168-8184
NlmUniqueID: 101596737
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 3
Pages: e35746
PII: e35746

Researcher Affiliations

Savage, Gabriella
  • General Surgery, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, Toowoomba, AUS.
Liesegang, Amanda
  • General Surgery, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, Toowoomba, AUS.
Campbell, Jakob
  • General Surgery, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, Toowoomba, AUS.
Lyon, Matthew
  • General Surgery, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, Toowoomba, AUS.
Fry, Damian
  • General Surgery, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, Toowoomba, AUS.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Riley CB, Padalino B, Rogers CW, Thompson KR. Human Injuries Associated with the Transport of Horses by Road. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
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    doi: 10.1002/ajim.70009pubmed: 40696541google scholar: lookup
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