Cut Short: Evaluation, Management, and Prevention of Pediatric Lawnmower-Related Injuries

Lawnmower-related injuries in children have serious costs and consequences. Every year, thousands of children sustain injuries to various parts of their bodies, including burns, lacerations, fractures, and lawnmowers are the leading cause of amputation in children under 10. This review emphasizes the importance of thorough trauma assessment, early antibiotic administration, and repeated, careful irrigation and debridement. For limbs that can be preserved, current research supports soft tissue preservation and stabilizing bones with external fixators. The decision to amputate depends on factors like blood flow, the extent of skeletal and soft tissue damage, hemodynamic stability, and other considerations. The goal of amputation should be to create a well-padded stump with sufficient length to improve prosthesis fit, leverage, and function. After initial treatment, long-term effects include bone overgrowth, psychological impacts, and financial burdens that affect patients and families for years. Therefore, this review compiles strategies from current research to assist in properly evaluating, managing, and preventing pediatric lawnmower injuries. (1) Lawnmower injuries in children are common, affect all ages and all body parts, and range from burns and lacerations to fractures and amputations. (2) Acute management includes a complete trauma evaluation, antibiotics, irrigation and debridement, and skeletal and soft tissue stabilization. (3) Amputation principles balance the removal of nonviable, contaminated tissue with the preservation of adequate length for soft-tissue coverage, prosthetic fit, and mechanical function. (4) Both short- and long-term complications include residual pain, infection, osseous overgrowth, reperfusion injury, mental health disorders, and economic costs. (5) Preventive strategies include situational awareness, age limitations, product safety designs, and protective gear, which can save children’s limbs and lives.