Introduction and aim of the work: Motorcyclists are about three times more likely than car occupants to be injured in a crash, and 16 times more likely to die. This study was an exploratory one to assess the magnitude of the problem of motorcycle accidents in Upper Egypt, to detect the common patterns of injury associated with these accidents and to suggest the possible counter measures in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality of these fatal injuries in our community.
Patients and methods: This observational prospective study included data of patients with motorcycle related injuries who were admitted at the Causality Department of Sohag University Hospital, Sohag, Egypt in the period from May 2012 through December 2012.
Results: 76 patients (72 (94.7%) males and 4 (5.3%) females) were admitted with motorcycle related injuries caused by 63 motorcycle accidents. The mean age was 24.8±12.72 years. The majority (N=53; 69%) were < 30 years. The commonest time of the accidents was around the peak hours of the day (12 pm – 5:59 pm) where 32 (50.8%) accidents occurred. The majority (N=21; 42%) of drivers were young adults but only one (4.8%) of them had a license. All adolescent (N=13; 26%) drivers had no license. The most common cause of accidents was collision between a motorcycle and a car in 30 (47.6%) cases; the drivers themselves were the most commonly injured riders in 50 (65.8%) cases. Neurosurgical injuries were the commonest in 39 (51.3 %) of cases. Forty five (59.2%) of cases had single system injury and 31 (40.8 %) had multiple system injury. The majority (N=43; 56.6 %) of patients had good outcome with complete cure, while 31 (40.8 %) had complicated outcome and 2 patients died.
Conclusion: Motorcycle use is becoming popular in Upper Egypt and but its related injuries constitute a major neglected emerging public health problem. The young adult males in their reproductive and productive age group are commonly affected. The pre-hospital care of trauma patient was the most important factor in determining the ultimate outcome after the injury. Trauma victims require a precise, rapid and systematic approach to initial evaluation in order to ensure their survival. The majority of motorcycle injuries are preventable, and the safety measures are highly recommended.