The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #40655

Meghann Nelles¹, Marcus Miller, MD², Scott Armen, MD², and Jonathan I Groner, MD³. (1) College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State Univerity, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, 614-722-6512, nelles.3@osu.edu, (2) Department of Surgery, Mount Carmel West Hospital, 793 W. State Street, Columbus, OH 43222, (3) Trauma Program, Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205

Purpose: Because snowboarding has become an increasingly popular adolescent recreational sport, we reviewed the snowboard injuries treated at a regional pediatric trauma center. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all snowboard related injuries admitted between December, 1999, and February, 2001, was performed. Phone interviews were conducted with consenting patients to determine the mechanism of injury and the treatment rendered by the first-responders. Results: 14 patients (11 male, age 12 to 17) with snowboard related injuries were identified. Injuries occurred among both beginning and advanced snowboarders at ski resorts and on backyard hills, often in poor (icy) snow conditions. The Injury Severity Score ranged from 4 to 17 (mean=8). There were 7 splenic injuries (Grade II-IV, 1 requiring splenorrhaphy), one renal contusion, three lower extremity fractures (all required operative repair), one complex facial fracture, one closed head injury and one patient admitted for observation only. The 7 splenic injury patients all complained of significant abdominal pain. Nevertheless, 4 were discharged by ski patrol personnel (two with the diagnosis of an injured rib), and two others did not seek medical attention immediately. All splenic injuries were caused by falls, whereas fractures were usually caused by collisions with stationary objects. Conclusions: Snowboarding can cause not only obvious trauma (fractures) but also serious abdominal injuries. Medical and ski patrol personnel must recognize that the snowboarder who falls and complains of abdominal, chest, or shoulder pain may have a “snowboard spleen” or other serious abdominal injury.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Describe injury mechanisms for snowboard injuries.
  7. Recognize the symptoms of abdominal injuries in snowboarders.
  11. List common serious snowboarding injuries.

Keywords: Injury Control, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.