Upper Extremity Trauma Resulting From Agricultural Accidents: Mechanism and Severity for Patients With and Without Upper Extremity Injury

Abstract

Background: Farming remains the most dangerous occupation in the United States and upper extremity (UE) injuries occur frequently in agricultural accidents. The purpose of this study is to describe the injury mechanisms, severity, and health care costs of UE injuries resulting from agricultural accidents and to compare patients with and without injuries to the UE. Methods: We performed a 6-year retrospective review of our level I trauma center registry from January 2006 to May 2013, identifying all patients injured in an agricultural accident. Data collection included baseline demographics, injury type and mechanism, costs and treatment. Patients with UE injuries were compared with those without UE injuries. Results: Ninety-six of 273 patients (35%) sustained an UE injury with fractures of the phalanx and radius/ulna occurring most frequently. Patients with UE injuries were more likely to be injured from table saws ( P = .0003) and farm machinery ( P < .0001). Twenty-one percent with UE injuries sustained a mangled extremity. Patients with UE injuries were more likely to require surgery (68% vs 36%, P < .0001) and were more likely to be readmitted (17% vs 5%, P = .0007) with risk factors for readmission including age >18 years, falls from height, and surgery. Mean hospital charges were $95 147. Conclusions: Patients sustaining agricultural UE injuries have longer lengths of stay and more frequently require surgery despite similar hospital charges compared with non-UE injured patients. Hospital readmissions occur frequently for patients with UE injuries. Understanding injury mechanisms and the epidemiology of these potentially devastating and costly injuries may help guide agricultural injury prevention programs.