Kite String Injures During Makar Sankranti Festival

Abstract

Introduction: Kite flying is a colourful festival; it is unfortunately associated with a significant number of incising injuries of neck and face caused by the kite string (Manja). The emergency departments report a large number of patients with such injuries during this festival. Materials And Methods: Patients presented to the Emergency Department at Civil Hospital, Gandhinagar on 14th and 15th January with neck and face injury caused by contact with kite string were included in study. After careful assessment (primary and secondary survey) patients were classified as Superficial (Laceration limited to the skin and subcutaneous tissue) or Deep injury (breach of the platysma, and damage to muscles, thyroid gland, neurovascular or airway involvement). Results: 20 patients were included in study. Out of which 18 were males and 2 were females. Amongst 18 males 2 were children. Two patients wearing a helmet suffered an injury to the nose. The neck zones involved in the injury, 5 cases involved zone I injury, 9 cases in zone II, 4 cases were in zone III and the remaining 2 had the nasal injury. Conclusion: From this study we conclude that kite string injury lead to serious damage to local tissues. Using protective measures can reduce the incidence and severity of injuries.

Keywords

• Kite string
• Makar Sankranti
• slit neck
• Manja