Fireworks Injuries to the Head and Neck: A Retrospective Analysis Between 2008 and 2017

Thunder and lightning-a report on firework-associated acoustic trauma at New Year 2021/2022

BACKGROUND

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the frequency and type of firework-associated acoustic trauma occurring in Germany on New Year's Eve 2021, despite the ban on firework sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The survey period lasted 7 days, from 28 December 2021 to 03 January 2022. A questionnaire inquired date, type and treatment of trauma, sex, and age of the patient, and whether the trauma occurred when lighting or watching fireworks. Hearing impairment was classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO grades 0 to 4), and concomitant tinnitus, vertigo, or other injuries were recorded. The questionnaire was sent to the otorhinolaryngology departments of 171 hospitals in Germany.

RESULTS

Of 37 otorhinolaryngology departments, 16 reported no and 21 reported 50 patients with firework-associated acoustic trauma. Mean age was 29 ± 16 years and 41 of 50 patients were males. Of these 50 patients, 22 presented without and 28 with hearing loss, 32 reported tinnitus and 3 vertigo; 20 patients were injured when lighting fireworks and 30 when watching. Hearing impairment was classified as 14 × WHO grade 0, 5 × WHO grade 1, 4 × WHO grade 2, 2 × WHO grade 3, and 3 × WHO grade 4. Inpatient treatment was received by 8 patients and 11 suffered from concomitant burn injuries.

CONCLUSION

Despite the sales ban, some firework-associated acoustic traumas occurred at New Year 2021/2022 in Germany. Some instances led to hospitalization, but an even higher number of unreported cases can be assumed. This study can serve as a baseline for further annual surveys to raise the awareness of the danger of seemingly harmless fireworks for the individual.

[Thunder and lightning-a report on firework-associated acoustic trauma at New Year 2021/2022 (German version)]

BACKGROUND

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the frequency and type of firework-associated acoustic trauma occurring in Germany on New Year's Eve 2021, despite the ban on firework sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The survey period lasted 7 days, from 28 December 2021 to 03 January 2022. A questionnaire inquired date, type and treatment of trauma, sex, and age of the patient, and whether the trauma occurred when lighting or watching fireworks. Hearing impairment was classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO grades 0 to 4), and concomitant tinnitus, vertigo, or other injuries were recorded. The questionnaire was sent to the otorhinolaryngology departments of 171 hospitals in Germany.

RESULTS

Of 37 otorhinolaryngology departments, 16 reported no and 21 reported 50 patients with firework-associated acoustic trauma. Mean age was 29 ± 16 years and 41 of 50 patients were males. Of these 50 patients, 22 presented without and 28 with hearing loss, 32 reported tinnitus and 3 vertigo; 20 patients were injured when lighting fireworks and 30 when watching. Hearing impairment was classified as 14 × WHO grade 0, 5 × WHO grade 1, 4 × WHO grade 2, 2 × WHO grade 3, and 3 × WHO grade 4. Inpatient treatment was received by 8 patients and 11 suffered from concomitant burn injuries.

CONCLUSION

Despite the sales ban, some firework-associated acoustic traumas occurred at New Year 2021/2022 in Germany. Some instances led to hospitalization, but an even higher number of unreported cases can be assumed. This study can serve as a baseline for further annual surveys to raise the awareness of the danger of seemingly harmless fireworks for the individual.

Pneumomediastinum, facial nerve injury, and sialocele secondary to a firework burn to the cheek: a case report

Fireworks injuries can result in devastating cutaneous burns and may be further complicated in the head and neck region by the presence of specialized deeper structures. In the United States, the head and neck remain the most commonly injured sites, with the majority of these injuries constituting burns. 1 We present an adult patient who suffered an accidental right cheek burn injury and went on to experience a complex pattern of findings including pneumomediastinum, facial nerve palsy, and sialocele formation.