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ANZ journal of surgery2024; 94(12); 2245-2250; doi: 10.1111/ans.19304

Twelve-year review of horse-related trauma registry presentations to a regional Australian Emergency Department.

Abstract: The size, strength, and unpredictability of horses, makes any interaction a potential situation for minor to severe injury. Despite this, horses continue to be popular for work and recreational activities. There have been five recent Australian publications that have examined various aspects of horse-related trauma, but none have been conducted in regional New South Wales (NSW). This study aims to report on the pattern of horse-related trauma that met the Institute of Trauma Injury Management's (ITIM) Trauma Registry criteria for people who presented to the emergency department at a regional NSW hospital, Australia. An analysis of horse-related trauma extracted from the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital's Trauma Registry from 2012 to 2023 was undertaken. Demographic and clinical variables were reported on all people (n = 85) and statistically evaluated. The cohort median age was 46 years (range 2-78). Males represented 51.8%. Fall from mounted position was the most common mechanism of injury (84.7%) followed by kick while unmounted (11.7%). The head (45.9%) and chest (32.9%) were the most common regions of injury with head (45.9%) and fractures (44.7%) the most common types of injury. 11.8% of people required ICU admission. Horse-related trauma, whether a person is mounted or unmounted, causes mild to severe injuries and can require hospitalization. Horse-related trauma has the potential to significantly impact morbidity, result in death and must not be underestimated. Establishing a protocol for horse-related trauma presentations and increasing awareness of injury patterns sustained from this mechanism has the potential to improve diagnosis and reduce morbidity.
© 2024 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2024-11-16 PubMed ID: 39548823DOI: 10.1111/ans.19304Google 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.

Overview

  • This study reviews horse-related injuries presenting to a regional Australian emergency department over twelve years, analyzing patterns of trauma, injury severity, and patient demographics.

Background and Purpose

  • Horses are large, strong, and unpredictable animals that can cause injuries ranging from minor to severe during interactions.
  • Despite the risks, horses remain popular for both work and recreational purposes in Australia.
  • Previous Australian research has examined horse-related trauma, but none focused on regional New South Wales (NSW), where specific injury patterns and healthcare responses might differ.
  • The study aimed to analyze horse-related trauma cases that met the Institute of Trauma Injury Management (ITIM) Trauma Registry criteria at a regional NSW hospital.

Methodology

  • Data was extracted from the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital Trauma Registry spanning 2012 to 2023.
  • A total of 85 patients presenting with horse-related trauma were included.
  • The study examined various demographic and clinical variables of these patients.
  • Statistical evaluation was conducted to identify injury patterns and relevant clinical outcomes.

Findings

  • Demographics: The median age of patients was 46 years, ranging from 2 to 78 years. Males accounted for 51.8% of the cases.
  • Mechanism of Injury:
    • Falls from a mounted position were the most common cause at 84.7%.
    • Kicks while unmounted accounted for 11.7% of injuries.
  • Injury Location and Type:
    • Most injuries affected the head (45.9%) and chest (32.9%).
    • The most common injury types were head injuries (45.9%) and fractures (44.7%).
  • Severity and Outcomes:
    • 11.8% of patients required admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), indicating severe injuries.
    • Injuries ranged from mild to severe and could necessitate hospitalization.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • Horse-related trauma has a substantial impact on morbidity and can even lead to death, affecting individuals whether they are mounted or unmounted.
  • The study highlights the importance of not underestimating the risk and severity of horse-related injuries.
  • There is a need to establish specific protocols for the assessment and management of horse-related trauma presentations in emergency settings.
  • Increasing awareness among clinicians about common injury patterns sustained from horse-related incidents can improve diagnosis and patient outcomes.
  • Better trauma protocols and awareness could reduce morbidity and enhance targeted care for those injured in horse-related accidents.

Cite This Article

APA
Neville EK, Neville CC, Hicks H. (2024). Twelve-year review of horse-related trauma registry presentations to a regional Australian Emergency Department. ANZ J Surg, 94(12), 2245-2250. https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.19304

Publication

ANZ journal of surgery
ISSN: 1445-2197
NlmUniqueID: 101086634
Country: Australia
Language: English
Volume: 94
Issue: 12
Pages: 2245-2250

Researcher Affiliations

Neville, Emily K
  • University of Notre Dame Australia, School of Medicine, Wagga Wagga Rural Clinical School, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
Neville, Christine C
  • School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
Hicks, Henry
  • Department of General Surgery, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Registries
  • Male
  • Female
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Adult
  • Middle Aged
  • Aged
  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • New South Wales / epidemiology
  • Young Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / epidemiology
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology

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