Prehospital Death Among Motorcyclists : A study on the pattern of injury and preventability

We examined the pattern of anatomical injuries and the percentage of preventable death among motorcyclist. This retrospective study was conducted at the Penang Hospital Forensic Department from 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2001. Injured motorcyclists who died prior to hospital arrival were included. The Abbreviate Injury Scores and Injury Severity Scores were calculated. Seventy five victims fulfilled the study criteria. 92% of the victims sustained head injury, 72% had abdominal injury, 94.7% had chest injury and 82.7% had extremities or pelvic injuries. The minimum and maximum calculated ISS score were 21 and 75 respectively. 23(30.7%)of them had ISS of 75(unsalvageable, 32(42.7%) had ISS of 5- 44,16(21.3%)had ISS of 45-54, 27(36%) had ISS of 55- 75. 27 victims (36%) had 100% mortality, 19 victims (25.3%) had 50-99% mortality, 29 victims (38.7%) had mortality less than 50%. In conclusion, about one third of victims died outside the hospital and 38.7% of victim may survive from the accident.