Severity and Pattern of Motorcycle Injuries in Emergency Department of a Tertiary Trauma Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Motorbike serves as cheap means of transportation in middle- and low-income countries. Accidents are common with motorcycle because of reckless driving, human error, bad road conditions, traffic rule violations, excessive speed and lack of protective helmets and clothing. Road traffic accidents due to motorcycle injuries poses increased burden in terms of cost of care and mortality in Nepal in upcoming years.

Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study conducted in a patient presenting with motorbike accident in National Trauma Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal from 2025 AD to 2026 AD after institutions review board approval. Data were collected based on site of injury, substance abuse, whether helmet was worn or not, status of victim and mean injury severity score was assessed.

Results: Five hundred eighty-four (70.53%) were male whereas female patient comprised of 244 (29.47%) of total cases with mean age of the patients found to be35.47±8.53. Five hundred sixty-five (68.24%) patients were rider while 263(31.76%) were pillion rider. Extremities are commonly involved body region comprising of 91.31% of total injuries encountered. All rider had worn helmet during motorbike accident while none of the pillion rider had worn helmet. Seventy-six (9.18%) patients had history of substance abuse (alcohol). The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 5.48±6.53 and mean survival prediction score (Ps) of patients was 0.94±0.05.

Conclusions: Motorbike accident is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in productive age group presenting in emergency department of tertiary trauma care hospital of Nepal.