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Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery 2/2017

01-04-2017 | Original Article

Annual trauma load of the world’s largest indoor skiing center

Authors: S. N. Van Laarhoven, G. Latten, E. de Loos, W. van Hemert, G. F. Vles

Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery | Issue 2/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

There is limited data on the trauma load caused by indoor skiing centers. Therefore, all patients treated at the accident and emergency department of our level I trauma center who sustained injuries at the world’s largest indoor skiing center were analyzed during a 3-year period.

Methods

Business intelligence was used to identify all patients who sustained injury at SnowWorld, Landgraaf, The Netherlands, and were seen at the accident and emergency department of the Zuyderland Medical Center from January 1, 2012 till December 31, 2014. Data were collected on patient characteristics, trauma mechanism, transportation, admission, diagnostics, injury and its severity, and treatment.

Results

Of the 732 patients seen, 305 had a fracture and 80 a dislocation. Most patients were male snowboarders and most injuries were sustained during winter. More than 2000 X-rays and 100 CT scans were required. Seventy-two patients were admitted and immediate surgery was performed in 21 patients. Ten patients had Injury Severity Scores of 10 or higher. Snowboarders differed significantly from skiers on several parameters, e.g., 1 in 4 snowboarders seen had sustained a distal radius fracture compared to 1 in 100 skiers.

Conclusion

Acquiring more insight into the characteristics of this specific patient population could benefit clinical care and help clinicians identify and target preventive strategies.

Level of evidence

IV.
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Metadata
Title
Annual trauma load of the world’s largest indoor skiing center
Authors
S. N. Van Laarhoven
G. Latten
E. de Loos
W. van Hemert
G. F. Vles
Publication date
01-04-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 1863-9933
Electronic ISSN: 1863-9941
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-016-0631-3

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