EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PATTERN OF ORTHOPAEDIC INJURIES CAUSED BY DELIVERY MOTORBIKE ACCIDENTS (DMBA) AT A SOUTH AFRICAN TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Trauma patients present with different injuries and some of them require emergency surgical procedures. Orthopaedic department at Steve Biko Academic Hospital (SBAH) have seen an increasing number of patients presenting with serious orthopaedic injuries due to Delivery Motorbike Accidents (DMBA). The aim of the study was to establish the epidemiology and pattern of orthopaedic injuries sustained following Delivery Motorbike Accident.Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) administration office at SBAH in emergency department was approached for patients registers used between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022. There patients were registered as Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA), Motorbike Accident (MBA) and Pedestrian Vehicle Accident (PVA) by the administration office. The details of patients classified as MBA were collected and used to obtain clinical data from medical and radiological records in the form of patient's files and PACS respectively.Approximately 240 patients presented to Emergency department with orthopaedic injuries following a motorbike accident. About 78 files could not be retrieved from the patient's records department. About 74patients had their occupation recorded as unknown or unemployed. Approximately 70 patients had their occupation indicated in the file by the Clinicians or Administration Clerks. About 40 patients had their occupation as delivery man or working for a delivery company. 16 patients did not have images on the PACS system. Most of the patients were males, presented after hours and sustained multiple injuries that were managed surgically. Very few patients had their helmet status indicated in the file.The study suggests that accidents due to delivery motorbikes are prevalent at SBAH and result in orthopaedic injuries. Almost 50% of patients who had their occupation indicated in the file were delivery employees. A follow up prospective study is recommended to ensure complete collection of data from patients at presentation to ED.