Mohamed A Al-Ali1, Ashraf F Hefny2, Fikri M Abu-Zidan3. 1. Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Department of Otolaryngology, Al Ain Hospital, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 2. Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Department of Surgery, Al Ain Hospital, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: ahefny@uaeu.ac.ae. 3. Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Department of Surgery, Al Ain Hospital, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Large animal-related human injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality. There are no studies on biomechanics of the camel-related head, face, and neck (HFN) injuries. We aimed to study the mechanism, anatomical distribution and severity of camel-related HFN injuries. METHODS: We analyzed our prospectively collected data of patients who were admitted to Al Ain Hospital with camel-related HFN injury during the period of October 2001 to January 2010. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were studied; all were males having a median (range) age of 28 (5-89) years. Camel kick was the most common mechanism of injury (45%) followed by falling from a camel (22%). Facial fractures were significantly more common in patients who were kicked by a camel. Severe head injuries were significantly more in patients who fell from a camel or who had a car collision with a camel. Car collision with a camel was significantly associated with lower cervical spine fractures (p = 0.017) and severe cervical spine injuries (p = 0.004). Two patients died (overall mortality 3%) CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides an insight into the complex biomechanics and severity of camel-related HFN injuries. It is essential to adopt protective measures in our community so as to reduce camel-related HFN injuries.
INTRODUCTION: Large animal-related human injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality. There are no studies on biomechanics of the camel-related head, face, and neck (HFN) injuries. We aimed to study the mechanism, anatomical distribution and severity of camel-related HFN injuries. METHODS: We analyzed our prospectively collected data of patients who were admitted to Al Ain Hospital with camel-related HFN injury during the period of October 2001 to January 2010. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were studied; all were males having a median (range) age of 28 (5-89) years. Camel kick was the most common mechanism of injury (45%) followed by falling from a camel (22%). Facial fractures were significantly more common in patients who were kicked by a camel. Severe head injuries were significantly more in patients who fell from a camel or who had a car collision with a camel. Car collision with a camel was significantly associated with lower cervical spine fractures (p = 0.017) and severe cervical spine injuries (p = 0.004). Two patients died (overall mortality 3%) CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides an insight into the complex biomechanics and severity of camel-related HFN injuries. It is essential to adopt protective measures in our community so as to reduce camel-related HFN injuries.