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The Journal of trauma2000; 48(4); 740-744; doi: 10.1097/00005373-200004000-00025

Mechanisms and patterns of injuries related to large animals.

Abstract: Injuries from encounters with large animals represent a significant health risk for rural communities. We evaluated our regional trauma centers' experience with large-animal injuries to determine whether certain mechanisms and patterns of injury predicted either major head/craniofacial or torso (chest/abdomen/pelvis) trauma. Methods: The hospital courses of 145 patients with injuries related to large animals were reviewed retrospectively to determine patterns of injury, specific injury mechanisms, species-specific injuries, and predictors of multiple body region trauma. Results: Seventy-nine patients (55%) were injured by horses, 47 patients (32%) by bulls, 16 patients (11%) by cows, and 3 patients (2%) by wild animal attacks. The predominant species-specific mechanisms of injury were falls (horses), tramplings (bulls), and kicks (cows). Brain/craniofacial injuries were most common from horse-related encounters (32%), whereas bull and cow encounters usually resulted in torso injuries (45% and 56%, respectively). Multiple body region injuries occurred in 32% of patients. Fractures of the upper extremities were more often associated with torso and head/craniofacial injuries (48%) than lower extremity injuries (17%) (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Large animal injuries frequently involve multiple body regions with species-specific mechanisms. Upper extremity injuries are associated with a significantly higher percentage of torso and head/craniofacial injuries, which may have implications for field triage.
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Publication Date: 2000-04-26 PubMed ID: 10780611DOI: 10.1097/00005373-200004000-00025Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article discusses a study on the mechanisms and patterns of injuries caused by large animals, identifying the significant health risk they present for rural communities. Analyzing data from regional trauma centers, researchers aimed to find whether certain types of injuries could predict major head/craniofacial or torso trauma.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective review of hospital records concerning 145 patients who were injured by large animals. The aim was to identify patterns of injury, specific injury mechanisms, and species-specific injuries, as well as to predict the chances of multiple body region trauma.

Results

  • The findings revealed that out of the 145 patients, 55% were injured by horses, 32% by bulls, 11% by cows, and a minimal 2% by wild animals. Each animal species was found to have a predominant injury mechanism: falls from horses, tramplings by bulls, and kicks from cows.
  • While horse-related incidents mainly resulted in brain/craniofacial injuries (32% of cases), encounters with bulls and cows frequently led to torso injuries (45% and 56%, respectively).
  • Notably, around a third (32%) of patients suffered injuries in multiple body regions.
  • Fractures in the upper extremities were more commonly seen in conjunction with torso and head/craniofacial injuries (48%) than with lower extremity injuries (17%). This finding was statistically significant with a p-value of 0.02.

Conclusions

  • The research concludes that injuries from large animals often involve multiple body regions, with specific patterns and mechanisms attached to different animal species.
  • The significant association between upper extremity injuries and torso or head/craniofacial injuries has potential implications for the process of field triage. By identifying certain injury combinations, healthcare providers might be better able to anticipate and diagnose the extent and complexity of trauma after large animal encounters.

Cite This Article

APA
Norwood S, McAuley C, Vallina VL, Fernandez LG, McLarty JW, Goodfried G. (2000). Mechanisms and patterns of injuries related to large animals. J Trauma, 48(4), 740-744. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005373-200004000-00025

Publication

The Journal of trauma
ISSN: 0022-5282
NlmUniqueID: 0376373
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 48
Issue: 4
Pages: 740-744

Researcher Affiliations

Norwood, S
  • Department of Surgery, East Texas Medical Center, Tyler, USA. ettrauma@ballistic.com
McAuley, C
    Vallina, V L
      Fernandez, L G
        McLarty, J W
          Goodfried, G

            MeSH Terms

            • Adult
            • Animals
            • Animals, Wild
            • Cattle
            • Craniocerebral Trauma / etiology
            • Facial Injuries / etiology
            • Female
            • Horses
            • Humans
            • Male
            • Middle Aged
            • Multiple Trauma / etiology
            • Retrospective Studies
            • Texas / epidemiology
            • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
            • Wounds and Injuries / etiology

            Citations

            This article has been cited 24 times.
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