Motorboat Propeller Injuries: Report of Thirteen Cases with Review of Mechanism of Injury and Bacterial Considerations

Between October, 2003, and August, 2009, 13 patients were admitted to our hospital for management of propeller related injuries. These injuries ranged in severity from superficial lacerations that did not require closure to severe, devastating injuries with limb loss (Table 1). No patients died of propeller injuries after reaching the hospital during the period of this study. Five of the injuries occurred at very low speed (estimated less than 5 mph) including one patient with two amputations. Five occurred at speeds that were estimated to be greater than 10 mph. Three records did not provide enough information to estimate boat speeds. Eleven injuries occurred in fresh water, one in salt water, and one occurred while on land. Fall from a boat prior to propeller strike occurred in seven patients. Four were in the water from skiing or other activities when struck. The sequence of injury could not be determined for one patient (#9), and one propeller injury occurred while on land. Motorboat Propeller Injuries: Report of Thirteen Cases with Review of Mechanism of Injury and Bacterial Considerations