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Lawnmower injuries in children
Insights
Preventable lawnmower injuries in children often cause severe wounds, including amputations. Educating children and parents on mower safety is crucial to prevent these common, yet avoidable, pediatric accidents.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trauma Surgery
- Public Health & Injury Prevention
Background:
- Lawnmower injuries represent a significant cause of pediatric trauma requiring hospitalization.
- An 8-year study in the Winnipeg area identified 31 such cases.
Observation:
- Accidents were consistently linked to preventable patient or parent carelessness.
- Injuries were severe, frequently necessitating partial extremity amputation.
- Infection was a common complication, highlighting the need for prompt medical intervention.
Findings:
- Recommended initial management includes radiography, wound débridement, and exploration under general anesthesia.
- Defatting and reapplication of degloved skin are critical early steps.
- Subsequent care involves reinspection at 2-3 days, with closure or skin grafting at 6-8 days.
- Prophylaxis with broad-spectrum antibiotics and human antitetanus globulin is advised.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the critical need for enhanced child education regarding lawnmower dangers.
- Recommends preventative measures such as prohibiting children from riding tractor mowers and utilizing grass catchers.
- Advocates for mower modifications like handle-mounted controls and sharp blades to reduce operating speed.
Abstract:
Over an 8-year period 31 children in the Winnipeg area were admitted to hospital with lawnmower injuries. The accidents were always preventable and were caused by patient or parent carelessness. The wounds were severe, often resulting in amputation of a portion of an extremity. Infection was common; prophylaxis with a broad-spectrum antibiotic and human antitetanus globulin is recommended. Radiography, débridement of the wound with thorough exploration under general anesthesia, and defatting and reapplication of degloved skin should be done initially, then the wound should be reinspected and redressed at 2 to 3 days, and finally closed or skin grafted at 6 to 8 days. Children must be educated about the dangers of lawnmowers and prevented from riding on tractor mowers. The grass catcher should be used and the path cleared of missiles. Hand controls should be mounted on the mower's handle and the blade should be kept sharp so that the machine's speed can be reduced.