Water tubing injury: An overlooked boating injury statistic

A 23-year-old female sustained a large avulsion injury to the groin while water tubing on a local waterway. The laceration began at the mons pubis, extended along the labia majora with involvement of the external anal sphincter. The pubic bone and the pectineus muscle were exposed. Six weeks after surgery, she had resumed full activity without sequlae. Lack of data and the potential for significant injury caused by water tubing as described in this case report are a real concern. Water tubing injury should be classified as a primary accident type and analyzed by the U.S. Coast Guard.