One such method is the elevated tree stand. Over time, hunters have developed various methods to improve the leisure of the sport. Hunters age 12 and above may obtain a hunting license in New York and most use bows or firearms to hunt a variety of wildlife animals. Hunting is a favorite pastime for those in the Rochester, NY area that spans all age ranges. Hunting is a popular sport and recreational activity nationwide, with nearly 15 million licensed hunters in the United States and approximately 680000 in New York State according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. Neurosurgeons must continue to advocate for increased safety awareness and participate in leadership roles to improve outcomes for hunters. Compared to a decade ago we have made no progress in preventing these neurological injuries, despite an increase in safety advances. Most patients were discharged home without (72%) or with (11%) services and 17% required rehabilitation.ĬONCLUSION: Falls from hunting tree stands are still common, with a high rate of neurological injury. The average hospital length of stay was 6.56 ± 1.07 d. Other systemic injuries include rib/clavicular fractures (47%), pelvic fractures (11%), solid organ injury (23%), and pneumothorax or hemothorax (19%). Eight patients required operative repair. The most common injuries were spinal fractures (54%), most commonly in the cervical spine (69%), followed by the thoracic (38%) and lumbar (21%) spine. A reason for the fall was documented in only 13 patients, and included tree stand construction (3), loss of balance (3), falling asleep (3), structural failure (2), safety harness breakage (3) or light-headedness (1). All patients fell to the ground with the exception of one who landed on rocks, and many hit the tree or branches on the way down. The average height of fall was 18.2 feet (range 4-40 feet). The mean Injury Severity Score was 12.53 ± 1.17 (range 2-34). Ninety-six percent of patients were male with a mean age of 47.9 years (range 15-69). RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were identified. Information was obtained from the hospital’s trauma registry and medical records were retrospectively reviewed for data pertaining to the injuries. METHODS: All tree stand-related injuries referred to our regional trauma center from September 2003 through November 2011 were reviewed. AIM: To characterize and compare our current series of patients to prior reports in order to identify any changes in the incidence of neurological injury related to hunting accidents in Rochester, New York.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |