Urologic injuries sustained after free falls from hunting tree stands.

Objectives: Hunting is a popular recreational pastime in the United States. Injuries sustained from falls out of tree stands remain a significant cause of morbidity among hunters, often resulting in significant urological injury. The purpose of this study is to identify the type and pattern of urologic injuries sustained after free falls from hunting tree stands.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed using an institutional trauma database. Twenty patients who sustained urologic trauma when falling from a hunting tree stand were identified from 1998 to 2006. Baseline data, type of injury, and management strategies were recorded.

Results: All patients were male with a mean age of 43. Mean fall height was 15.2 feet. Ninety-five percent of hunters were not wearing a fall-arrest system/full body harness. Sixty-three percent of injuries were the result of human error, whereas 26% resulted from structural failure. Ten percent of injuries were associated with alcohol use. Urologic injuries included: 2 posterior urethral disruptions, 8 renal injuries, and 10 spinal cord injuries resulting in permanent paralysis and neurogenic bladder.

Conclusions: Accidental falls from hunting tree stands can cause significant urologic morbidity. Fall-arrest system/full body harness use and increased hunter public education and awareness can reduce tree stand falls. Trauma teams need to be aware of the potential for urologic injury, and need to evaluate and treat hunters involved in tree stand accidents accordingly.