Characteristics of Electric Scooter-Related Maxillofacial Trauma, 2017–2024: A Retrospective Study

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the maxillofacial trauma resulting from electric scooter accidents, and to identify risk factors associated with injury location. Methods: An 8-year retrospective cohort study was carried out, including all patients presenting with electric scooter-related maxillofacial fractures at a tertiary care center from 2017 through 2024. Data recorded for each patient included gender, age, date and cause of injury, contributing factors, type of facial fractures, other injuries, helmet use, and the length of hospital stay. Results: Maxillofacial fractures were diagnosed in 138 patients (18,5% of e-scooter accident presentations). The study included 93 male and 45 female patients (ratio 2:1), and the mean age was 25.8 ± 7.75 years (range 14-45 years). Patients aged 20-29 years formed the largest group (51%). Most patients (89%) sustained a single facial fracture. The most affected facial third was the lower third with 80 cases (58%), followed by the middle third (36%). The remaining patients were represented by a combination of the various thirds, the most represented of which was I-II (12%). The most recurrent patterns were multifocal mandibular fractures (55%), followed by fractures of the orbito-malar-zygomatic complex (33%). Dental injuries were also frequent and were recorded in 40 patients (29% of all cases). Concomitant injuries outside the facial region were documented in 32 patients (23%). Among these, orthopaedic limb injuries were most common (44% of patients with concomitant injuries). Contributing factors were identifiable in 102 patients (74%). Self-reported helmet use was low: 63% of patients reported never wearing a helmet and 27% reported inconsistent or occasional use. Conclusions: Accidents involving personal mobility vehicles have become one of the main causes of emergency room admissions in recent years. Although electric scooter-related maxillofacial fractures are a new phenomenon, awareness of their frequency, contributing factors, and anatomical distribution is important for emergency and trauma teams who assess these patients first. Early recognition and timely management are crucial because missed diagnoses or delayed treatment can lead to permanent facial deformity and functional disability. These findings can inform targeted public-health strategies and injury-prevention programs. In the future, helmet designs should be modified to improve maxillofacial protection in scooter-related injuries.