Comparison of the Effect of Different Types of Helmet in Preventing Head, Neck and Face Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes: An Observational Prospective Survey

Introduction & Head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. In this way، the benefit of head protection devices has been shown in the literature. From the clinical point of view، many investigations have tried to find a standard helmet type but they have had limitations such as، small number of cases have been studied or have been a retrospective data analysis. During a prospective observational study from April 2012 to 2014، victims of motorcycle crash accidents، with head trauma، were included، regardless of their age، sex، severity of trauma and type of helmet used. Details of trauma to each organ were recorded and injury severity score (ISS) calculated. Four groups of patients were analyzed based on four types of helmets available in the Iranian market. This study included 384 patients (371 male، 13 female). The average age of patients was 32±13 and the mean ISS was 8. 45±6. 9. The mortality rate was 1. 6%. The group of patients using “vertex covering” or “open face” helmets had 4 fold higher risk of face injuries of (AIS=1) in comparison to patients with “full face” helmets (P = 0. 002; 95% CI: 1. 7، 10. 5). The risk was 14 fold in cases with more severe AIS=2 face injuries (P = 0. 009; 95% CI: 1. 98، 122. 8). There was no correlation between helmet type and the types of head and neck injuries. In comparison with other types of motorcycle helmets، using full face helmet can provide more protection against mild، moderate and perhaps severe face injuries. In the context of head or neck injuries، there were no significant differences between various types of helmets. Full face helmet may be offered to motorcyclists as a standard helmet.