[Facial injuries in bicyclists: epidemiological analysis and prophylactic consequences]

Bicycle accidents in adults are common and concern frequently injuries to head and face. 150 of totally 216 patients with cycle accidents in a six month' prospective study at the Basel University Hospital showed face and head trauma. 85 severe facial injuries treated operatively by the Clinic for Reconstructive Surgery between 1985 and 1989 are analysed in detail. These facial injuries are rarely life threatening and normally the postoperative outcome is good. Nevertheless, usual bicycle helmets cannot avoid facial trauma. Therefore traffic educational programs are the most important prophylactic efforts. Technical progress and improvement of the bicycles ask for better trained cyclists. Further more, the importance of really respecting the traffic rules as well as the construction of separate cycle routes is stressed.