Electric-scooter-related facial injuries in children: A Christmas case series

Abstract

Introduction
Electric-scooters (e-scooters) were a popular Christmas gift for children and teenagers in 2023. These vehicles can reach speeds of up to 40km/hr and often travel within main traffic lanes. Accidents can result in significant trauma, including soft-tissue facial injuries.

Cases
We present 4 cases involving teenagers, who were referred to the plastic surgery service with facial abrasions and lacerations as result of e-scooter accidents in the period after Christmas 2023. Cases 1, 2 and 3 describe adolescent patients who fell from an electronic scooter on a main road. Case 4 describes a 13-year-old female who fell from an electronic scooter in a woodland area.

Outcomes
All patients required scrub of facial abrasions and removal of debris under general anaesthetic. These wounds were subsequently managed in an outpatient dressing clinic and took an average of 23 days to heal. Three of the patients also required suturing of facial lacerations. One patient required splinting of teeth and another required dental intervention for a fractured tooth.

Discussion
We observed a cluster of facial injuries related to the use of new e-scooters in the early months of 2024. All patients referred to the service required procedures under general anaesthetic and follow-up in the dressing clinic. Newly-introduced legislation, which limits e scooter use to those aged 16-years and over, is welcomed.