Özet:

Objective: Although tractors are highly inadequate in terms of safety equipment compared to other vehicles, they are still frequently employed for agricultural activities and even human transportation. This study investigated patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) due to tractor accidents. Material and Methods: Tractor accidents occurring over a ten year period were examined retrospectively. Victims’ demographic data, the cause of the accident, trauma scores (Glasgow Coma Score, Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score and Pediatric Trauma Score), injury localizations, imaging results, and clinical outcomes were recorded. Results: One hundred sixty-five patients were included. Their mean age was 46.48±23.24 years, 82.4% were men, and 41.8% were tractor drivers. The most frequent cause of accidents was “falling from the tractor”. The thorax was the most frequently injured anatomical region. Rates of head and thoracic injury were significantly higher in drivers compared to passengers (p=0.005 and p=0.039, respectively). The post-accident exitus rate was 3.6%. The incidence of abdominal and pelvic injuries was significantly higher in the exitus group than in the survivors (p=0.018 and p=0.015, respectively). Glasgow Coma Score and Revised Trauma Score levels were significantly lower in the exitus group than in the survivors (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively), while Injury Severity Score levels were significantly higher (p<0.001). Positive correlation was determined between mortality and abdominal and pelvic injury (r=0.184, p=0.018 and r=0.189, p=0.015, respectively). Conclusion: Based on our study findings, tractor accidents frequently seen involve middle-aged men, and the thorax is the most commonly injured region. Exitus victims were exposed to greater trauma energy, and mortality was correlated with abdominal and pelvic injury.

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