Abstract

MAKHADI, S; QWABE, Q; LANEY, E  and  MOENG, MS. Injury patterns in motorbike collisions - a retrospective review in an urban trauma unit in Johannesburg, South Africa. S. Afr. j. surg. [online]. 2025, vol.63, n.2, pp.91-94. ISSN 2078-5151.  https://doi.org/10.36303/SAJS.01417.

BACKGROUND: Motorbike collisions (MBC) pose significant public health challenges in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in urban settings. This study examines the injury patterns of patients involved in MBCs at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) trauma unit over a two-year period (May 2022 to Apri 2024). METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all patients involved in MBCs. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients were identified, predominantly male (97.1%), with a mean age of 32 years (SD ± 8.8) Most of these incidents were work-related, highlighting the increasing use of motorbikes for commercial purposes, including food delivery. The analysis revealed that head injuries were present in 22.4% of patients, with 9.7% sustaining facial fractures and one patient presenting with a cervical spine injury. Chest injuries were reported in 21.6% of cases, while abdominal and pelvic injuries occurred in 8.2% and 6.7% of patients, respectively. The predominant injuries were long bone fractures, with 58 patients affected. The mean injury severity score (ISS) was 25 (SD plus-minus 2), indicating high levels of trauma. The mortality rate after an MBC was 2.2%. Two patients died in the emergency department due to severe injuries. The findings underscore the complexity of injuries sustained in MBCs, which often involve multiple body regions. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to enhance the safety of motorbike riders in urban areas, particularly as the prevalence of MBCs rises in association with commercial transport services. Improved trauma care and public health strategies are essential to address the ongoing challenge of motorbike-related injuries in Johannesburg and similar urban contexts.

Keywords : motorbike; injury; fractures; head injury; femur fracture; rib fractures.

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