Severe upper limb trauma related to escalator use. Pediatric case report

Escalator-related injuries are rare but can be a medical emergency with potentially dangerous complications. The severe upper limb involvement related to injury occurred on an escalator is described. A two year-old patient suffered a fall going down an escalator; her left arm was caught between one of the steps and the comb of the last step. She was admitted to the Emergency Room for the initial stabilization. The foreign body was removed in the operating room. No vascular or nervous compromise was found, but there was severe loss of subcutaneous cellular tissue. The metal comb was removed, and repair surgery was performed on the affected limb. She required four more surgical interventions for plastic and reconstructive surgery. The patient had a good clinical evolution and was discharged without functional sequelae.