Maxillofacial injuries related to work accidents: a new concept of a hospital-based full electronic occupational trauma surveillance system

World Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma (WORMAT) project: A multicenter prospective analysis of epidemiology and patterns of maxillofacial trauma around the world

BACKGROUND/AIM

The World Oral Maxillofacial Trauma (WORMAT) project was performed to analyze the causes and characteristics of maxillofacial fractures managed in 14 maxillofacial surgery divisions over a 1-year period.

METHODS

The following data were collected: age, sex, cause and mechanism of maxillofacial fracture, alcohol and/or drug abuse at the time of trauma, fracture site, Facial Injury Severity Scale score (FISS), associated injury, day of trauma, timing and type of treatment, and length of hospitalization. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

Between 30 September 2019 and 4 October 2020, 2,387 patients (1,825 males and 562 females [ratio 3.2:1], 47.6% aged 20-39 years [mean age 37.2 years, median 33.0 years]) were hospitalised. The main cause of maxillofacial fracture was road traffic accidents (RTA), which were statistically associated with male adults as like as assault, sport, and work (p<0,05). Half of the fractures involved the middle third of the face, statistically associated with fall and assault (p<0.05). Trauma in multiple locations was significantly associated with longer hospital stay (p<0.05). The mean length of hospitalization was 3.9 days (95% Confidence Interval 3.7-4.2).

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective, multicenter epidemiological study confirmed that young adult males were the ones most commonly affected by maxillofacial fracture. RTAs and assaults are statistically associated with the adult population, while falls are associated with females and older population.

Facial Protection to Prevent Facial Trauma and Allow for Optimal Protection after Facial Fracture Repair

Facial skeletal fractures continue to affect humankind, and many methods to alleviate and prevent the injuries outright have been sought after. Prevention is desired, but the implementation and general compliance may contribute to missed opportunities to decrease the burden of facial skeletal trauma. In this article, we explore the preventative as well as postoperative options for the protection of the facial skeleton.

Maxillofacial Traumas in Farmers Caused by Farm Animals, Agricultural Vehicles, and Materials

OBJECTIVE

It has been aimed at evaluating the relationship of maxillofacial fractures in farmers, which are caused due to traumas while working in farms, with trauma etiologies, maxillofacial fracture areas, age, sex, and seasonal variables.

METHODS

Among the farmers who have come to our emergency service unit as a result of maxillofacial trauma between 2010 and 2012, 146 patients have been analyzed retrospectively. The patients' demographic findings, trauma etiologies, seasonal variables of trauma, and maxillofacial fracture area distribution have been analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients' age varies between 12 and 80 and 87 of them are female (59.59%), while 59 are male (40.41%). The subjects' etiological distribution is as follows: 47.5% is traumas caused by cattle among the farm animals; 15.75% is traumas caused by the blows of agricultural tools; 12.33% is traumas caused by tractor accidents; 9.59% is traumas caused by falling from haystacks; 7.53% is traumas caused by falling from agricultural vehicles, and 6.85% is traumas caused by horse kicks. When trauma etiology, age, sex, seasonal distribution, and the maxillofacial fractures were analyzed, statistically significant results have been determined.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the number of maxillofacial traumas is considerably high in farmers due to farm animals, agricultural devices, and agricultural tools, while these traumas can cause functional and aesthetically minor fractures on the face, they can cause important and serious fractures as well. While knowing the mechanism of etiological fractures and accidents in different study groups can be guiding in the speedy diagnosis and treatment of possible fractures, it can also be helpful in taking precautions against traumas in these groups as well.

Surveillance for work-related skull fractures in Michigan

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to develop a multisource surveillance system for work-related skull fractures.

METHODS

Records on work-related skull fractures were obtained from Michigan's 134 hospitals, Michigan's Workers' Compensation Agency and death certificates. Cases from the three sources were matched to eliminate duplicates from more than one source. Workplaces where the most severe injuries occurred were referred to OSHA for an enforcement inspection.

RESULTS

There were 318 work related skull fractures, not including facial fractures, between 2010 and 2012. In 2012, after the inclusion of facial fractures, 316 fractures were identified of which 218 (69%) were facial fractures. The Bureau of Labor Statistic's (BLS) 2012 estimate of skull fractures in Michigan, which includes facial fractures, was 170, which was 53.8% of those identified from our review of medical records. The inclusion of facial fractures in the surveillance system increased the percentage of women identified from 15.4% to 31.2%, decreased severity (hospitalization went from 48.7% to 10.6% and loss of consciousness went from 56.5% to 17.8%), decreased falls from 48.2% to 27.6%, and increased assaults from 5.0% to 20.2%, shifted the most common industry from construction (13.3%) to health care and social assistance (15.0%) and the highest incidence rate from males 65+ (6.8 per 100,000) to young men, 20-24 years (9.6 per 100,000). Workplace inspections resulted in 45 violations and $62,750 in penalties.

CONCLUSIONS

The Michigan multisource surveillance system of workplace injuries had two major advantages over the existing national system: (a) workplace investigations were initiated hazards identified and safety changes implemented at the facilities where the injuries occurred; and (b) a more accurate count was derived, with 86% more work-related skull fractures identified than BLS's employer based estimate.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

A more comprehensive system to identify and target interventions for workplace injuries was implemented using hospital and emergency department medical records.

Maxillofacial injuries due to work-related accidents in the North West of Italy

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and patterns of work-related maxillofacial injuries, identifying worker categories with a high risk of injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From a systematic computer-assisted database that has continuously recorded patients hospitalized with maxillofacial fractures, only patients with work-related injuries were considered. Occupation, mechanism of injury, and demographic and clinical data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Work-related facial injuries represented the fifth most common cause of injury, with a percentage of 6.3 %. Maxillofacial fractures were most often seen in construction workers (37.9 %). The middle third was involved in 67 % of the cases; the mandible was the most frequently injured site.

CONCLUSIONS

Work-related maxillofacial trauma is rare, but it is often complex and challenging as Facial Injury Severity Scale values show. In agreement with the few published reports, construction workers, together with farm and forestry workers, are at the highest risk of injuries, mainly because of struck by a thrown, projected, or falling object.

Frequency and characteristics of occupational dental trauma

BACKGROUND

Dental trauma at the workplace may have important clinical and occupational consequences, but little is known about its profile.

AIMS

To describe the frequency and characteristics of work-related dental injuries.

METHODS

For all patients with occupational dental trauma seen at the FREMAP Hospital of Barcelona (Spain) between January 2000 and December 2006, we recorded their characteristics, type of work and nature of the trauma, including cause of the accident, extent of trauma, reason for referral to a dentist, and days of sick leave.

RESULTS

The frequency of dental trauma was 1.71 per 1000 occupational accidents attended and was related to the worker's occupation. In security services, it was 7.37 per 1000 and 2.01 in transport services. The frequency was similar in both genders. The most common causal mechanisms were direct impact (38%), traffic accidents (29%) and falls at the same level (16%). Causal mechanisms differed according to gender and type of job. Most injuries consisted of dental fracture (54%), and 67% of the patients required referral to a dental surgery. Injuries were limited to the mouth in 52% of cases, 8% of which required sick leave, with a mean duration of 23.0±21.8 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of dental trauma in this working population was low and was related to the worker's occupation. Causal mechanisms differed according to gender and type of job. Most dental injuries were severe and required referral to a dental surgery. Frequency of sick leave was low.

Occupational Maxillofacial Fractures: A 3-Year Survey in Central Switzerland

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine occupational facial fractures in central Switzerland. Concomitant injuries were also studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Hospital in Berne provides a 24-hour maxillofacial trauma service for its population (1.6 million). The present study was comprised of 42 patients (8.4% of treated maxillofacial injuries) with occupational maxillofacial fractures registered at this unit between 2000 and 2002. Information on the topic of occupation, the cause of the accidents, and the topographic location of the fractures was analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 44.4 years, with a male to female ratio of 41:1. Sixty-nine percent of the injuries occurred in farm and forestry workers and in construction laborers during the summertime (33%). Workers in these occupations carried a 127-fold (farm and forestry workers) and a 44-fold (construction laborers) higher risk of incurring maxillofacial fractures than did service and office workers. Injuries were most frequently (43%) caused by a thrown, projected, or falling object. Eighty-two percent of the fractures occurred in the midface region and at the skull base. Fifty-nine percent of the patients had concomitant injuries. In 69%, surgery was necessary, the mean duration of their hospital stay being 4.8 days.

CONCLUSION

The probability of sustaining work-related maxillofacial traumata is correlated to the nature of the occupation. Farm and forestry workers are at the highest risk, most frequently injured by being struck by an object or an animal. The introduction of personalized safety measures should become obligatory in high-risk occupations.