Motorcycle petrol tanks and their role in severe pelvic injuries

Between 1985 and 1992, nine patients who sustained severe pelvic lesions as a result of motorcycle accidents were admitted to and treated in the authors' department. In six of these nine cases the petrol tank of the motorcycle was one of the wounding agents, and all six patients had the same kind of motorcycle with an oversized petrol tank. All six patients had unstable pelvic lesions. In addition, four had subperitoneal haematomas which required multiple transfusions; five had perineal and/or genital lesions, and one had a ruptured membranous urethra. Severe pelvic injuries are rare, but can have after-effects which jeopardize the social and family life of the patients. A national epidemiological study would be useful to evaluate the frequency of such injuries and to draw conclusions leading to improved safety for motorcyclists.