Interpersonal violence and facial fractures

Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Maxillofacial Injuries in Brazil, a 5-year Retrospective Study

Aim

The etiology and epidemiology of maxillofacial injuries varies widely in different regions of the world due to socioeconomic status, cultural aspects in addition to road traffic and drug consumption. The aim of this study is to determine major causes and epidemiological characteristics of maxillofacial trauma in a 5-year period.

Materials and methods

Reports of corporal trauma (n = 25,632) from 2007 to 2011 in the Department of Forensic Medicine were analyzed as to the presence of maxillofacial injuries. Data were submitted to Chi square test and to multivariate Poisson regression.

Results

3262 reports referred maxillofacial trauma. The majority were men (55.8%), single (68.9%), most of them white (75.7%). The average age was 28.9 years (SD = 8.42), and victims with age between 16 and 30 years old were the most affected (48.0%). Women comprised 44% of total sample, 67.8% (971) were single, 76% (1.076) white and 46% (691) aged between 16 and 30 years old. Middle third injuries were associated after adjustment with females (PR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.11), non-white subjects (PR 1.06; 95% CI 1.01-1.12) and physical aggression (PR 1.07; 95% CI 1.02-1.13). Injuries in the oral region was more prevalent in men (PR 1.24; 95% CI 1.09-1.41), in those aged between 16 and 30 (PR 1.97; 95% CI 1.48-2.61) and in subjects with injuries caused by traffic accident (PR 1.21; 95% CI 1.02-1.44). The presence of injuries in the lower third of face remained associated in the final model only with traffic accident (PR 1.75; 95% CI 1.43-2.15).

Conclusion

Health care practitioners must recognize vulnerable population and most prevalent sites of lesion to identify cases of violence.

Do Radiologists and Surgeons Speak the Same Language? A Retrospective Review of Facial Trauma

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study is to examine the concordance of facial fracture classifications in patients with trauma who underwent surgery and to assess the epidemiologic findings associated with facial trauma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with trauma who underwent facial CT examination and inpatient operative intervention during a 1-year period were retrospectively analyzed. Patient demographic characteristics, the mechanism of injury, the radiology report, the surgical diagnosis, and clinical indications were reviewed. Fractures were documented according to bone type and were classified into the following subtypes: LeFort 1, LeFort 2, LeFort 3, naso-orbital-ethmoidal, zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC), orbital, and mandibular. Concordance between the radiology and surgery reports was assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 115,000 visits to the emergency department resulted in 9000 trauma activations and 3326 facial CT examinations. One hundred fifty-six patients (4.7%) underwent facial surgical intervention, and 133 cases met criteria for inclusion in the study. The mean injury severity score was 10.2 (range, 1-75). The three most frequently noted injury mechanisms were as follows: assault (77 cases [57.9%]), a traffic accident (21 cases [15.8%]), and a fall (20 cases [15%]). The three most frequently noted facial bone fractures were as follows: mandible (100 cases [75.2%]), maxilla (53 cases [39.8%]), and orbit (53 cases [39.8%]). The five descriptors most frequently found in the radiology and surgery reports were the mandibular angle (25 cases), the orbital floor (25 cases), the mandibular parasymphysis (22 cases), the mandibular body (21 cases), and ZMC fractures (19 cases). A classification was not specified in 31 of the radiologic impressions (22.5%), with 28 of 31 radiologists expecting the surgeon to read the full report. The descriptors used in the radiology and surgery reports matched in 73 cases (54.9%) and differed in 51 cases (38.3%). No classifications were used by one or both specialties in nine cases (6.8%).

CONCLUSION

For 38.3% of patients needing facial surgery, descriptors used in the radiologic and surgery reports differed. Speaking a common language can potentially improve communication between the radiology and surgery services and can help expedite management of cases requiring surgery.

The association between healed skeletal fractures indicative of interpersonal violence and alcoholic liver disease in a cadaver cohort from the Western Cape, South Africa

Interpersonal violence (IPV) and heavy alcohol consumption are major problems in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Cranio-maxillofacial fractures, particularly nasal and zygomatic bone fractures, as well as isolated radial fractures (Colles fractures) and ulnar shaft fractures (parry fractures), are indicative of IPV, while alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the consequence of chronic alcohol abuse. We therefore aim to investigate whether a significant association exists between the prevalence of cranio-maxillofacial fractures and parry fractures and ALD in a Western Cape population. Embalmed cadavers (n = 124) used for medical students' anatomy training at the Division of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University were studied. The cadavers were dissected according to departmental protocol. The liver of each cadaver was investigated for macroscopic pathology lesions. Tissue samples were removed, processed to wax, and sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). All soft tissue was removed from the skulls, radii, and ulnae, which were then investigated for healed skeletal trauma. The results showed 37/124 (29.8%) cadavers had healed cranio-maxillofacial fractures and 24/124 (19.4%) cadavers had morphologic features of ALD. A total of 12/124 (9.7%) cadavers showed signs of both ALD and healed cranio-maxillofacial trauma. More males were affected than females, and left-sided facial fractures were statistically more common compared to the right side. This study illustrated a significant trend between alcohol abuse and cranio-maxillofacial fractures in individuals from communities with a low socio-economic status (SES) where IPV is a major problem.

Retrospective Analysis of Surgically Managed Maxillofacial Fractures in Kayseri Training and Research Hospital

Objective

To retrospectively evaluate the clinical and surgical data of patients with maxillofacial fracture (MFF) who were surgically treated at the Department of ENT and Head Neck Surgery in the Kayseri Training and Research Hospital and to compare and discuss the results with relevant literature, including that from Turkey.

Methods

Data concerning the age, gender, etiology, type and site of injury, treatment modality, and postoperative complications were collected and analyzed from medical records of patients who underwent maxillofacial surgery for MFF at the Department of ENT and Head Neck Surgery in the Kayseri Training and Research Hospital between January 2013 and March 2015.

Results

A total of 35 patients were surgically treated because of MFF between January 2013 and March 2015. Of the 35 patients, 28 (80%) were male, whereas seven (20%) were female. Traffic accidents (40%) were the most frequent cause of MFFs. Mandibular fractures (49.1%) were the most common fractures, followed by zygomatic fractures (31.6%). Surgical management of MFFs was performed via closed reduction (17.5%) and/or open reduction with internal fixation by miniplates (82.5%). A total of five complications were observed in the present study: malunion (n=2), removal of fixation plate because of infection (n=2), and permanent infraorbital nerve injury (n=1).

Conclusion

Based on the experience from the close proximity of the area, we think that surgeries for MFFs should be in the surgical repertoire of ENT surgeons.

A Retrospective Analysis of 303 Cases of Facial Bone Fracture: Socioeconomic Status and Injury Characteristics

Background

The incidence and etiology of facial bone fracture differ widely according to time and geographic setting. Because of this, prevention and management of facial bone fracture requires ongoing research. This study examines the relationship between socioeconomic status and the incidence of facial bone fractures in patients who had been admitted for facial bone fractures.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed for all patients admitted for facial bone fracture at the National Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) from 2010 to 2014. We sought correlations amongst age, gender, fracture type, injury mechanism, alcohol consumption, and type of medical insurance.

Results

Out of the 303 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 214 (70.6%) patients were enrolled in National Health Insurance (NHI), 46 (15.2%) patients had Medical Aid, and 43 (14.2%) patients were homeless. The main causes of facial bone fractures were accidental trauma (51.4%), physical altercation (23.1%), and traffic accident (14.2%). On Pearson's chi-square test, alcohol consumption was correlated significantly with accidental trauma (p<0.05). And, the ratio of alcohol consumption leading to facial bone fractures differed significantly in the homeless group compared to the NHI group and the Medical Aid group (p<0.05).

Conclusion

We found a significant inverse correlation between economic status and the incidence of facial bone fractures caused by alcohol consumption. Our findings indicate that more elaborate guidelines and prevention programs are needed for socioeconomically marginalized populations.

Epidemiology and resource utilization in pediatric facial fractures

BACKGROUND

Pediatric facial fractures, although uncommon, have a significant impact on public health and the US economy by the coexistence of other injuries and developmental deformities. Violence is one of the most frequent mechanisms leading to facial fracture. Teaching hospitals, while educating future medical professionals, have been linked to greater resource utilization in differing scenarios. This study was designed to compare the differences in patient characteristics and outcomes between teaching and non-teaching hospitals for violence-related pediatric facial fractures.

METHODS

Using the 2000-2009 Kids' Inpatient Database, 3881 patients younger than 18 years were identified with facial fracture and external cause of injury code for assault, fight, or abuse. Patients admitted at teaching hospitals were compared to those admitted at non-teaching hospitals in terms of demographics, injuries, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Overall, 76.2% of patients had been treated at teaching hospitals. Compared to those treated at non-teaching hospitals, these patients were more likely to be younger, non-white, covered by Medicaid, from lower income zip codes, and have thoracic injuries; but mortality rate was not significantly different. After adjusting for potential confounders, teaching status of the hospital was not found as a predictor of either longer lengths of stay (LOS) or charges.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an insignificant difference between LOS and charges at teaching and non-teaching hospitals after controlling for patient demographics. This suggests that the longer LOS observed at teaching hospitals is related to these institutions being more often involved in the care of underserved populations and patients with more severe injuries.

Epidemiology and cause-specific outcomes of facial fracture in hospitalized children

PURPOSE

Facial fractures in the pediatric population have a significant impact on public health. Although some demographic data exists regarding the overall epidemiology of facial fractures, little attention has been paid to the patterns of facial fractures based on the etiology of the trauma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The Kids' Inpatient Database 2000-2009 was utilized to analyze pediatric facial fractures. A total of 21,533 patients were identified. Associations of patient characteristics with outcomes of interest were assessed.

RESULTS

The top three etiologies were motor vehicle accident (MVA), intentional trauma (IT), and falls. There was a decrease in the incidence of facial fractures due to MVAs and an increase in injuries due to IT and falls. Concomitant injuries were present in 58.8% and the mortality rate was 2%. The rate of concomitant injuries increased during study period. Age was significantly associated with concomitant injury, mortality, and LOS.

CONCLUSION

The increasing rate of IT and falls with concomitant injury warrants special consideration to reduce undiagnosed accompanying injuries. Further programs should be put in place to protect children younger than 5 years of age, who have increased risk of concomitant injury and mortality following intentional trauma.

Facial Fracture in the Setting of Whole-Body CT for Trauma: Incidence and Clinical Predictors

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to identify the incidence and clinical predictors of facial fracture in the setting of whole-body MDCT for trauma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical data from the electronic medical records, including the final radiology reports, of 486 consecutive patients who underwent MDCT for trauma (head, cervical spine, chest, abdomen, and pelvis examinations) with dedicated maxillofacial reconstructions from October 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013, were studied. The clinical variables were compared between cohorts of patients with and those without facial fracture. The two-sample t test was used to compare continuous variables, and the Fisher exact test was used to compare categoric variables.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixteen (44.4%) patients had at least one fracture on the dedicated maxillofacial CT examinations, 215 of whom had facial physical examination findings (sensitivity = 99.5%). Of the 28 patients without documented physical examination findings, 27 did not have a facial fracture (negative predictive value = 96.4%). Statistically significant differences were found between positive and negative cases of facial fracture in patients with a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of 8 or less (p < 0.0001), an injury severity score of 16 or greater (p < 0.0001), acute alcohol intoxication according to blood alcohol concentration (BAC) (p = 0.0387), intubation at presentation (p < 0.0001), positive physical examination findings (p < 0.0001), and loss of consciousness (p = 0.0364). Falls from a height greater than standing height and open-vehicle collisions had the highest fracture rates (80.0% and 58.3%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

A negative finding at facial physical examination reliably excluded fracture. Clinical variables positively associated with facial fracture included the following: GCS score of 8 or less, ISS of 16 or greater, alcohol intoxication according to BAC, intubation at presentation, loss of consciousness, and the presence of abnormal facial findings at physical examination.

Prevalence and etiology of midfacial fractures: a study of 799 cases

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The prevalence and etiology of midfacial fractures varies among countries. Until now, knowledge about such type of injuries in the region of the Baltic countries was rather scarce. The purpose of the study was to analyze the prevalence, etiology and localization of midfacial fractures treated at the Vilnius University Hospital Žalgiris Clinic, Vilnius, Lithuania.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of patients treated for midfacial fractures during the period January 2005 to December 2010 were analyzed for gender, age distribution, frequency and type of injury, cause of fractures, consciousness status and alcohol abuse during trauma.

RESULTS

The records of 799 patients were analyzed. The male-to-female ratio was 4.4:1. The mean age of the patients was 33.16±14.0 years (min 1, max 87). As much as 68.8% of injuries were zygomatic fractures, 27.9% were maxillary, and 3.3% were isolated orbital floor fractures. The most frequent causes for injury were interpersonal violence (64%), followed by falls (16.3%) and traffic accidents (8.3%). Most midfacial fractures (65.3%) occurred between April and October (P<0.05), on weekends (58.2%; P<0.05) and at night (62.0%; P<0.05). In 14%, trauma reports indicated the abuse of alcohol. More often such persons received more than one midfacial bone fracture (P<0.05) concurrently.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that the main cause of midfacial fractures was assault. Male patients, aged 15-34 years, more often sustain midfacial fractures. Preventive health care programs should seek measures in the reduction of aggression and violence in close future involving family, school and community institutions.

Etiology and injury patterns of maxillofacial fractures from the years 2010 to 2013 in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany: A retrospective study of 409 patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to illustrate the injury patterns and the etiology of accident victims with maxillofacial fractures in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (M-P), Germany.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 2010 and 2013, patients with maxillofacial fractures from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Helios Kliniken Schwerin, were evaluated with a specially constructed data set in a retrospective analysis. After review of the patient records, a case-related data collection was performed with the pre-set characteristics: age, gender, age group, maxillofacial fracture, and cause of injury.

RESULTS

Of 409 patients, 79% (n = 323) were male and 21% (n = 86) were female. A fracture of the zygomaticomaxillary complex was most frequently observed (31%; n = 240). Midface fractures with orbital floor involvement were the most common fracture types (48.4%; n = 137). A significant percentage of the fractures (45.2%; n = 185) were caused by interpersonal violence; 70.8% (n = 131), and thus the majority of the patients who were treated due to a brutal offense, had consumed alcohol. Within this group, men in the age group of 20-29 years were most prevalent (38.7%; n = 125). Etiologically, 25.2% (n = 103) of fractures were caused by a fall.

CONCLUSION

The regionalization of data on the distribution, emergence, and localization of maxillofacial fractures in M-P allows not only a national comparison but also an international comparison with areas that are in a similar strong socio-demographic change, as it applies to the East German population. This provides the opportunity to develop the global preventive measures and to apply suitable quality management.

Maxillofacial injuries in severely injured patients

Background

A significant proportion of patients admitted to hospital with multiple traumas exhibit facial injuries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence and cause of facial injuries in severely injured patients and to examine the role of plastic and maxillofacial surgeons in treatment of this patient collective.

Methods

A total of 67 patients, who were assigned to our trauma room with maxillofacial injuries between January 2009 and December 2010, were enrolled in the present study and evaluated.

Results

The majority of the patients were male (82 %) with a mean age of 44 years. The predominant mechanism of injury was fall from lower levels (<5 m) and occurred in 25 (37 %) cases. The median ISS was 25, with intracranial bleeding found as the most common concomitant injury in 48 cases (72 %). Thirty-one patients (46 %) required interdisciplinary management in the trauma room; maxillofacial surgeons were involved in 27 cases. A total of 35 (52 %) patients were treated surgically, 7 in emergency surgery, thereof.

Conclusion

Maxillofacial injuries are often associated with a risk of other serious concomitant injuries, in particular traumatic brain injuries. Even though emergency operations are only necessary in rare cases, diagnosis and treatment of such concomitant injuries have the potential to be overlooked or delayed in severely injured patients.

Effects of inter-implant distance and implant length on the response to frontal traumatic force of two anterior implants in an atrophic mandible: three-dimensional finite element analysis

The aim of this three-dimensional finite element analysis study was to examine the biomechanical behaviour of dental implants and the surrounding bone under traumatic frontal force. Models were created of an edentulous atrophic mandible using cone beam computed tomography data from a patient; two titanium alloy implants (Ti-6Al-4V) were virtually inserted into the anterior of the mandible. Six different variations were modelled to represent differences in implant location (lateral incisor vs. canine placement) and implant length (monocortical, bicortical, and long-bicortical). A static force of 10 MPa was applied frontally to the symphysis region of each model, and the maximum equivalent von Mises strain of bone, maximum von Mises stress of implants, and chromatic force distributions in bone and implants were recorded. In general, when compared to lateral incisor placement, canine placement of implants resulted in greater von Mises stress on implants and greater equivalent von Mises strain on bone. The findings of the present study showed the distribution of traumatic force to be affected more by inter-implant distance than by implant length. The insertion of implants in the lateral incisor area was found to be a better solution than canine area placement in terms of frontal plane trauma and fracture risk.

Analysis of 1,545 Fractures of Facial Region-A Retrospective Study

Incidence and etiology of facial fractures vary from region to region due to various constituents. This study was carried to evaluate the patterns and distribution of fractures in the facial region among different age groups of patients in both males and females caused due to various etiologies. This is a retrospective epidemiological study, which was performed on patients with fractures in the maxillofacial region during a period of 2005 to 2013 at Mamata Dental College and Hospital, Khammam, India. A total of 1,015 patients with 1,545 fractures were referred for treatment to department of oral and maxillofacial injuries surgery, of Mamata Dental College and Hospital, with a mean age of 31.19. The ratio of males (859):females (156) is 5.5:1. Injuries caused by motorbike injuries (34.9%) are highest. The highest frequency of fractures caused by various reasons is seen more in third decade (39%). Mandible (43.81%) is the most common fracture site in the face. Among soft tissue injuries most commonly seen are lacerations (43%). This study differentiates the etiological factors causing facial trauma in several age groups. Results of this study suggest outcomes indicate that more reliance on individual transport on motor vehicles has increased the frequency of facial bone fractures. Regardless of age, motor vehicle accidents were high in all age groups except the first decade of life and above 60 years of age when traffic accidents dominated. Thus effectiveness of current preventive measures is to be assessed, followed by instituting new guidelines for prevention and inflexible traffic rules shall be levied. More epidemiological surveys can, if encouraged to measure the frequency of fractures, better the world.

Maxillary chronic osteomyelitis caused by domestic violence: a diagnostic challenge

Maxillary osteomyelitis is a rare condition defined as inflammation of the bone primarily caused by odontogenic bacteria, with trauma being the second leading cause. The present report documents a rare case of maxillary osteomyelitis in a 38-year-old female who was the victim of domestic violence approximately a year prior to presentation. Intraoral examination revealed a lesion appearing as exposed bony sequestrum, with significant destruction of gingiva and alveolar mucosa in the maxillary right quadrant, accompanied by significant pain, local edema, and continued purulence. Teeth numbers 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 were mobile, not responsive to percussion, and nonvital. Treatment included antibiotic therapy for seven days followed by total enucleation of the necrotic bone tissue and extraction of the involved teeth. Microscopic findings confirmed the clinical diagnosis of chronic suppurative osteomyelitis. Six months postoperatively, the treated area presented complete healing and there was no sign of recurrence of the lesion.

Trend and Characteristics of 2,636 Maxillofacial Fracture Cases over 32 Years in Suburban City of Japan

Trend and characteristics of maxillofacial fractures in 2,636 patients over 32 years were analyzed retrospectively. Patients comprised 1,764 males and 872 females with ages ranging from 0 to 99 years. Patients younger than 30 years consisted of 60% maxillofacial fractures in the early period but decreased to 40% in the late period. In contrast, patients older than 60 years gradually increased to 30%. In terms of cause, traffic accidents consisted of more than 50%, predominantly motorcycle accidents, but gradually decreased to 40%. In contrast, falls markedly increased from less than 10 to 30%. Fractures occurred in the midface in 938 patients, in the mandible in 1,490, and in both in 208. In the midface, zygoma fractures consisted of 50% throughout the period. In the mandible, condyle fractures were observed in 40%, followed by fractures of the symphysis and angle. The ratio of condylar fractures slightly increased. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) were performed in 782 patients, followed by observation in 716, maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) in 605, intramaxillary splinting (IMS) in 294, transcutaneous reduction (TCR) in 126, and others in 113. MMF markedly decreased from more than 30 to less than 5% and observation increased from 20 to 40%.

What is expected from a facial trauma caused by violence?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the peculiarities of maxillofacial injuries caused by interpersonal violence with other etiologic factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Medical records of 3,724 patients with maxillofacial injuries in São Paulo state (Brazil) were retrospectively analyzed. The data were submitted to statistical analysis (simple descriptive statistics and Chi-squared test) using SPSS 18.0 software.

RESULTS

Data of 612 patients with facial injuries caused by violence were analyzed. The majority of the patients were male (81%; n = 496), with a mean age of 31.28 years (standard deviation of 13.33 years). These patients were more affected by mandibular and nose fractures, when compared with all other patients (P < 0.01), although fewer injuries were recorded in other body parts (χ(2) = 17.54; P < 0.01); Victims of interpersonal violence exhibited more injuries when the neurocranium was analyzed in isolation (χ(2) = 6.85; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Facial trauma due to interpersonal violence seem to be related to a higher rate of facial fractures and lacerations when compared to all patients with facial injuries. Prominent areas of the face and neurocranium were more affected by injuries.

The Cost and Inpatient Burden of Treating Mandible Fractures

Objective

To discuss patient demographics, hospitalization characteristics, and costs associated with the treatment of mandible fractures.

Study Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

The 2009 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

Subjects/Methods

Patient demographics, hospital characteristics, fracture locations, and common comorbidities for patients with isolated mandible fractures were analyzed, and variables associated with increased cost and length of hospitalization stay were ascertained.

Results

A total of 1481 patients were identified with isolated mandible fractures. The average age was 32, 85.4% were male, 39% were Caucasian, and 25% African American. Forty percent were from the lowest median household income quartile, and 77% were uninsured or government funded. The average length of stay (LOS) was 2.65 days, and average hospitalization cost was $35,804. A statistically significant increased LOS was associated with alcohol abuse, drug abuse, mental illness, diabetes mellitus type 2, cardiovascular disease, HIV, and age over 40. There was a statistically significant increased total cost associated with drug abuse, alcohol abuse, mental illness, cardiovascular disease, and age over 40.

Conclusion

The average cost for treatment of mandible fractures was $35,804 per person with increased expenditures for older patients and those with a history of mental illness, cardiovascular disease, or substance abuse. To improve outcomes and reduce hospital charges, outpatient resources and inpatient protocols should be implemented to address the factors we identified as contributing to higher costs and increased hospital stay.

Protective buttressing of the hominin face

When humans fight hand-to-hand the face is usually the primary target and the bones that suffer the highest rates of fracture are the parts of the skull that exhibit the greatest increase in robusticity during the evolution of basal hominins. These bones are also the most sexually dimorphic parts of the skull in both australopiths and humans. In this review, we suggest that many of the facial features that characterize early hominins evolved to protect the face from injury during fighting with fists. Specifically, the trend towards a more orthognathic face; the bunodont form and expansion of the postcanine teeth; the increased robusticity of the orbit; the increased robusticity of the masticatory system, including the mandibular corpus and condyle, zygoma, and anterior pillars of the maxilla; and the enlarged jaw adductor musculature are traits that may represent protective buttressing of the face. If the protective buttressing hypothesis is correct, the primary differences in the face of robust versus gracile australopiths may be more a function of differences in mating system than differences in diet as is generally assumed. In this scenario, the evolution of reduced facial robusticity in Homo is associated with the evolution of reduced strength of the upper body and, therefore, with reduced striking power. The protective buttressing hypothesis provides a functional explanation for the puzzling observation that although humans do not fight by biting our species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in the strength and power of the jaw and neck musculature. The protective buttressing hypothesis is also consistent with observations that modern humans can accurately assess a male's strength and fighting ability from facial shape and voice quality.

A ten-year analysis of the traumatic maxillofacial and brain injury patient in Amsterdam: incidence and aetiology

In the literature it is questioned if the presence of maxillofacial trauma is associated with the presence of brain injury. The aim of this study is to present a 10-year retrospective study of the incidence and aetiology of maxillofacial trauma associated with brain injury that required both oral and maxillofacial and neurosurgical intervention during the same hospital stay. Forty-seven patients from a population of 579 trauma patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery were identified. The main cause of injury was road traffic collision, followed by falls. Interpersonal violence correlated less well with traumatic brain injury. Most of the patients were males, aged 20-39 years. Frontal sinus fractures were the most common maxillofacial fractures (21.9%) associated with neurosurgical input, followed by mandibular fractures and zygomatic complex fractures. In the general maxillofacial trauma population, frontal sinus fractures were only found in 2.2% of the cases. At presentation to the Emergency Department the majority of the patients were diagnosed with severe traumatic brain injury and a Marshall CT class 2. Intracranial pressure monitoring was the most common neurosurgical intervention, followed by reconstruction of a bone defect and haematoma evacuation. Although it is a small population, our data suggest that maxillofacial trauma does have an association with traumatic brain injury that requires neurosurgical intervention (8.1%). In comparison with the overall maxillofacial trauma population, our results demonstrate that frontal sinus fractures are more commonly diagnosed in association with brain injury, most likely owing to the location of the impact of the trauma. In these cases the frontal sinus seems not specifically to act as a barrier to protect the brain. This report provides useful data concerning the joint management of oral and maxillofacial surgeons and neurosurgeons for the treatment of cranio-maxillofacial trauma and brain injury patients in Amsterdam.

Associated injuries in patients with facial fractures: a review of 604 patients

Facial fractures may be associated with concomitant lesions of other parts of body with some of these injuries being life-threatening. This retrospective study reports the types of associated injury and the factors influencing their occurrence, in patients with facial fractures. In 18.2% of 604 patients, one associated injury at least was recorded. The most common associated injury was cranial trauma (9.9%), followed by limbs fractures (9.1%), chest trauma (2%), spine injury (0.5%) and eye ball rupture (0.5%). A poly trauma was recorded in 3.2% of the patients who had sustained a cerebral trauma, a spinal injury or a thoracic trauma. Death occurred in two patients (0.3%) who had respectively a spinal injury and a chest trauma. The occurrence of associated injuries correlated significantly with the fracture type with solitary mandibular fracture being a significant predictor of associated injuries. Although not statistically significant, multiple facial fractures and violence were more associated with concomitant injuries. The findings of this study recall the need for initial full examination of the trauma patients particularly victims of violence, patients presenting with multiple facial fractures or single facial bone fracture involving the mandible, the trauma patients? multidisciplinary management as well as trauma prevention.

A 10-year analysis of the "Amsterdam" protocol in the treatment of zygomatic complex fractures

Despite many publications on the epidemiology, incidence and aetiology of zygomatic complex (ZC) fractures there is still a lack of information about a consensus in its treatment. The aim of the present study is to investigate retrospectively the Amsterdam protocol for surgical treatment of ZC fractures. The 10 years results and complications are presented. The study population consisted of 236 patients (170 males, 66 females, 210 ZC fractures, 26 solitary zygomatic arch fractures) with a mean age of 39.3 (SD: ±15.6) years (range 4-87 years). The mean cause of injury was traffic accident followed by violence and fall. A total of 225 plates and 943 screws were used. Twenty-eight patients presented with complications, including wound infection (9 patients) and transient paralysis of the facial nerve (one patient). Seven patients (2.8%) needed surgical retreatment of whom four patients needed secondary orbital floor reconstruction as these patients developed enophthalmos and diplopia. In conclusion this report provides important data for reaching a consensus for the treatment of these types of fractures.

Transnasal K-wire to stabilise a complex zygomatic fracture: a forgotten method of fixation

Zygomatic complex fractures make up approximately 60% of facial fractures. The vast majority treated surgically use titanium miniplates. These require longer operating times and facial incisions to access the fracture. The use of a K-wire was first described 60 years ago. As a new generation of surgeons emerges, it is important to be aware of the various techniques available to increase their surgical armamentarium. One of its benefits is that it has a significantly reduced operative time and does not require any incisions.

Epidemiology of facial fracture injuries

PURPOSE

Injuries resulting from accidents are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. The objective of this study was to present epidemiologic estimates of hospital-based emergency department (ED) visits for facial fractures in the United States.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample for 2007 was used. All ED visits with facial fractures were selected. Demographic characteristics of these ED visits, causes of injuries, presence of concomitant injuries, and resource use in hospitals were examined. All estimates were projected to national levels and each ED visit was the unit of analysis.

RESULTS

During 2007 in the United States, 407,167 ED visits concerned a facial fracture. Patients' average age for each ED visit was 37.9 years. Sixty-eight percent of all ED visits concerned male patients, and 85,759 ED visits resulted in further treatment in the same hospital. Three hundred fourteen patients died in EDs, and 2,717 died during hospitalization. Mean charge per each ED visit was $3,192. Total United States ED charges were close to $1 billion. Mean hospitalization charges (ED and inpatient charges) amounted to $62,414. Mean length of stay was 6.23 days, and total hospitalization time in the entire United States was 534,322 days. Frequently reported causes of injuries included assaults (37% of all ED visits), falls (24.6%), and motor vehicle accidents (12.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

The management of maxillofacial fractures in EDs across the United States uses considerable resources. The public health impact of facial fractures is highlighted in the present study.

Factors influencing the incidence of maxillofacial fractures

PURPOSE

Maxillofacial injuries occur in a significant proportion of trauma patients. Trauma causes considerable economic expense due to procedural costs, the time a patient is off work, and the associated loss of income. For these reasons, it is an important health and economic issue. The aim of this study is to discuss the factors that may influence the incidence of maxillofacial fractures. As it is necessary to determine trends to help guide the development of new methods of injury prevention, preventative measures are also discussed.

METHODS

An electronic search was undertaken in March 2011, including articles published between 1980 and 2011 with the terms "facial fractures" and "maxillofacial fractures" in the title. The texts of epidemiological studies were reviewed in order to identify factors that may influence the incidence of maxillofacial fractures.

RESULTS

From the selected articles, ten factors were identified: age, gender, geographic region and cultural aspects, socioeconomic status, temporal and climatic influence, use of alcohol and drugs, compliance with road traffic legislation, domestic violence, osteoporosis, and etiology of the maxillofacial trauma.

CONCLUSIONS

Care of injured patients should include not only management of the acute phase, but also combine preventive programs and interventional programs aimed at reducing the incidence of maxillofacial fractures. Therefore, there is a need to ensure strict compliance of traffic rules and regulations, implement improvement in automotive safety devices, organize prevention programs to minimize assaults, implement school education in alcohol abuse and handling potentially hostile situations (especially for men), improve protection during sporting activities, and legislate wearing of protective headgear in workers. Preventive strategies remain the cheapest way to reduce direct and indirect costs of the sequelae of trauma. Societal attitudes and behaviors must be modified before a significant reduction in the incidence of maxillofacial fractures will be seen.

Randomized controlled trial of personalized motivational interventions in substance using patients with facial injuries

PURPOSE

The proximate use of illicit drugs or alcohol (substance use) is the most common precipitator of facial injuries among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Reducing these risky behaviors could minimize adverse health sequelae and potential reinjury. The objective of our study was to test whether a culturally competent, personalized motivational intervention incorporated into surgical care could significantly reduce existing substance use behaviors in facial injury patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Substance-using subjects (n = 218) presenting with facial injuries to a level 1 trauma center were randomly assigned to either a personalized motivational intervention (PMI) condition or a health-information (HI) control condition. After a brief assessment of the individual's substance use severity and willingness to change these behaviors, both groups attended 2 counseling sessions with a trained interventionist. The PMI subjects (n = 118) received individualized, motivational interventions, whereas the HI subjects (n = 100) received only general health information. Both groups were reassessed at 6 and 12 months postinjury, and changes in substance-use patterns were measured to assess the effects of intervention.

RESULTS

The PMI and HI groups were closely matched on their sociodemographic and substance use characteristics. Subjects in the PMI group showed statistically significant declines in drug use at both the 6- and 12-month assessments. The intervention's effect on lowering illicit drug use was greatest at the 6-month assessment but had weakened by the 1-year follow-up. The efficacy of the PMI was moderated by an individual's initial drug use severity; individuals with greater drug use dependency at baseline were seen to have larger intervention effects, as did individuals who were most aware of their drug problem and willing to change their substance use behaviors. Unlike illicit drug use, changes in alcohol use did not differ significantly between the intervention and control groups, irrespective of an individuals' recognition of the alcohol problem or willingness to take steps to address it.

CONCLUSION

A culturally competent, motivational intervention integrated into the care of vulnerable patients with facial injury can reduce illicit drug use behaviors. Subgroups of injured patients appear to benefit most from such personalized motivational interventions. A better articulation of target populations, intervention content, and delivery would allow for directed interventions and an appropriate focusing of limited time and health care resources.