Evaluation of trailer attached-two wheel tractor (Pat- pat) accident - related pediatric injuries in Turkeys western black sea region

Abstract

Traumatic injuries related to agricultural production can lead to serious illness, disability, and even death. Pediatric injuries due to trailer attached-two wheel tractor (Pat-pat) accidents occupy a scarce place in the literature. To contribute to the literature, we aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics and analysis of pediatric injuries due to a Pat-pat accident admitted to our emergency department in the last decade. The study data were obtained by retrospectively examining patients younger than 18 years of age admitted to the Emergency Medicine Clinic between 01/01/2010 and 31/12/2019 with injuries due to Pat-pat accident. Demographic characteristics, injury sites, injury types, hospitalization status, length of hospital stay, injury severity score (ISS), and mortality status were recorded. Due to the Pat-pat accident, 32 children applied to the hospital. The male/Female ratio was 25/7. The median age of pediatric patients ranging from 9 to 18 years was 17 years. When evaluated according to the injury areas, extremity injuries were the most common. Admissions were most frequently in the summer season (n=21, 65.6%) and in July (n=13, 40.6%). These cases were admitted mostly on Tuesday (n=8, 25.0%) and between 16:00 and 23:59 (n=22, 68.8%). According to the ISS, 20 of the patients had a mild injury (ISS≤3), 3 had a moderate injury (4≤ ISS ≤8), and 9 had a severe injury (ISS≥9). To prevent accidents, the public should be made aware of this issue, and the authorities should be more careful in making the necessary administrative decisions and in implementation. For young agricultural workers, it should be an obligation to ensure proper education and job security. Pat-pat, which is not well known but often used in rural agricultural areas of the Western Black Sea region, can have dangerous consequences for children. Children should be kept away from such unsafe vehicles.