Comparative Study of Craniofacial Injuries in Skiing Versus ... : Journal of Craniofacial Surgery (original) (raw)

Original Articles

Comparative Study of Craniofacial Injuries in Skiing Versus Snowboarding: A NEISS Database Study

Bitner, Benjamin F. MD*; Kafle, Samipya BS†; Abello, Eric H. MD*; Muhonen, Ethan G. MD*; Torabi, Sina J. MD*; Chen, Theodore MD‡; Eriksen, Niklaus V. MD‡; Tjoa, Tjoson MD*

*Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA

†Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

‡Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Benjamin F. Bitner, MD, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine Medical Center, 101 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868; E-mail: [email protected]

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Supplemental Digital Content is available for this article. Direct URL citations are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal’s website, www.jcraniofacialsurgery.com.

Abstract

Introduction:

Skiing and snowboarding are popular winter sports which are rising in popularity. There is a lack of detailed data in the literature regarding skiing and snowboarding head and neck injuries, especially the rate of concussions with helmet use.

Methods:

The authors queried the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database to characterize patient demographics, injury types, subsite injured, and ED disposition associated with skiing and snowboarding-related head and neck injuries between 2009 and 2020 in the US.

Results:

An estimated 87,994 head and neck-related ski and snowboarding injuries were reported from 2011 to 2020 nationally. Ski-related and snowboard-related injuries comprised 51.9% and 48.1% of injuries, respectively. Ski-related injuries accounted for the majority of admissions (69.2%). Head injuries were the most common (68.3%), followed by injuries to the face (15.3%) and neck (12.2%). Concussions (57.7%) were the most common overall injury type and comprised 49.2% of admissions. Concussions were more common in snowboarding injuries (65.6% versus 50.3%, P<0.001), whereas lacerations (11.1% versus 14.4%), contusion/abrasions (6.7% versus 11.1%), and fractures (2.9% versus 7.0%) were more common in ski-related injuries. Cases with negative helmet status were associated with a greater proportion of concussion injuries (79.8% versus 70.9%, P<0.001).

Conclusions:

Patients presenting with skiing or snowboarding injuries require a thorough head and neck examination. A comprehensive history and physical should be performed with a focus on helmet use and evaluation for concussion, lacerations, and fractures. Helmet use is strongly recommended to prevent the risk of head injury.

Level of Evidence:

IV.