Urban-rural differences in oral and maxillofacial trauma

Maxillofacial fractures among non-indigenous ethnic groups in the Irish national maxillofacial unit: a review

BACKGROUND

This study investigates maxillofacial fractures in non-indigenous ethnic groups who were reviewed in the national maxillofacial unit in Ireland. The aim of this study was to highlight any potential trends in presentation of facial fractures in non-indigenous groups in comparison to previous reports which have included all ethnicities. This unique study is based on the fact that Ireland has only recently transformed into a diverse, multi-cultural country. This is unlike countries such as the UK and USA which have a long history of multicultural integration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study evaluated the trauma database of 4761 patients with 5038 fractures who attended the national maxillofacial unit over a 5-year period from 2015 to 2019. Parameters included age, gender, mechanism of injury, fracture sustained, time of the day, day of the week, month of injury, and the referral source were obtained from patient records.

RESULTS

The study identified 456 patients who did not identify as being born in Ireland, with 384 males and 72 females. The most common fracture seen was of the zygomatic bone, and the most common mechanism of injury was alleged assault for this cohort. Most injuries occurred in late afternoon with Friday being the most common day of the week.

CONCLUSION

This study shows how maxillofacial units need to adapt to the changing trends in Irish demographics with increased demand for resources such as translation services. A further study could evaluate the rapidly changing demographic with mass migration of people currently seeking refuge in Western Europe.

Retrospective Study of Orbital and Orbitozygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures Treated at Aalesund Hospital Between 2002 and 2017

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Objective

To evaluate patient demographics, surgical management, and complications of orbital and orbitozygomaticomaxillary complex (OZMC) fractures treated at a district hospital in Norway.

Methods

The medical records of patients with orbital fractures treated at Aalesund hospital between January 2002 and July 2017 were reviewed. Data on demographics, signs and symptoms, cause of injury, fracture type, associated fractures, surgical management, and complications were collected.

Results

A total of 36 patients were reviewed. Males predominated (1:4.1), and fractures occurred mostly in patients 40-59 years (mean 41.8 years). Interpersonal violence was the leading cause of injury, followed by falls. Alcohol was significantly associated with assault caused fractures (P = .001). Orbitozygomaticomaxillary fractures were the most frequent, followed by pure orbital fractures. Clinical findings included periorbital ecchymosis (72%), swelling (56%), sensory nerve dysfunction (53%), diplopia (22%), and restricted eye motility (22%). Commotio cerebri was observed in more than half of our sample and 47% had other facial bone fractures. Referral to tertiary hospitals was done in 19% of the cases. The main treatment done was open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) (45%). Infection was diagnosed in 17% and managed with antibiotics.

Conclusions

The incidence of orbital and OZMC fractures in Moere and Romsdal county in western Norway was low, occurring mainly in males over 40 years. The mechanism of injury was predominantly interpersonal violence and falls. A high proportion of the sample had minor traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Cases of Maxillofacial Trauma Treated at Hospitals in a Large City in Northeastern Brazil: Cross-Sectional Study

Maxillofacial trauma is associated with facial deformation, loss of function, emotional and social impacts, and high financial costs. This study investigated cases of maxillofacial trauma in a large Brazilian city through a cross-sectional study conducted at two public and two private hospitals. Primary data of 400 patients were collected through a questionnaire, clinical examination, and tomography. Statistical analysis at the 5% significance level was performed. Motorcycle accident was the major cause of trauma (41%); the most frequent trauma and treatment were mandibular fracture (24.3%) and surgery (71%), respectively. The female sex was more affected only regarding domestic accidents (p = 0.041) and falls (p < 0.001). Motorcycle accidents were more prevalent among 20 to 29 year-olds (p < 0.001), followed by physical aggression (p < 0.001) and sports accidents (p = 0.004). Falls were more frequent among 40 to 59 year-olds (p < 0.001). Mandibular fracture affected males and 20 to 29 year-olds more and was mainly associated with motorcycle accidents (48.2%) and physical aggression (22.7%) (p = 0.008). Nose fracture was more frequent in falls (29.6%), physical aggression (22.5%), and sports accidents (21.1%) (p < 0.001). Compound fracture was associated with motorcycle accidents (84.2%; p = 0.028). Maxillofacial trauma (mandibular, nasal, and zygomatic fractures) was associated with motorcycle accidents, physical aggression, and falls. Surgical treatment, hospital care, and public services were the most frequent.

An epidemiological analysis of maxillofacial fractures: a 10-year cross-sectional cohort retrospective study of 1007 patients

Background

Epidemiological data is providing vital indicators for organizing the financial resources related to a particular type of trauma, estimating expenses and training of dental practioners and ambulatory medical staff for collaboration with a certain pattern of patients. Knowing the etiology and epidemiology of a certain pathology is significant for approaching its means of prevention.

Methods

A 10-year retrospective statistical analysis of 1007 patients with maxillofacial fractures treated in a University Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Romania was performed. The data were extracted from patients’ medical records. Statistical analysis was performed. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The incidence of maxillofacial fractures was high among patients in the 20–29 age group (35.9%). Male patients (90.57%, M:F = 9.6:1), having a low level of education (46.60%) and living in urban areas (53.50%) were more affected. The main cause of maxillofacial fractures was interpersonal violence (59.37%), both in the mandibular and midface topographic regions (p = 0.001, p = 0.002). In urban areas, fractures caused by interpersonal violence and road traffic accidents were predominant, while in rural areas, most of the fractures were due to interpersonal violence, domestic accidents, work accidents and animal attacks (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Interpersonal violence is the main cause of maxillofacial fractures having epidemic proportions. Male patients aged 20–29 years with a low level of education represent the major risk category. Considering the wide area of interpersonal aggression, both the medical staff in the hospital and in the dental offices must be educated in order to collaborate with possible violent patients. Dentists must be prepared to work on a post-traumatic dento-periodontal field. Taking all measures to prevent inter-human aggression is imperative and will lead to a major decrease in maxillofacial fractures and an overall increase of oral health in a population.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-021-01503-5.

Epidemiological Analysis of Zygomatic Bone Fractures in North-Western Romanian Population: A 10-Year Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND/AIM

Midface fractures represent a challenge for medical practitioners due to the severe esthetic and functional consequences. This study aimed to determine the causes and to provide a demographic analysis of zygomatic bone fractures in our geographical area, with a view to implementing the necessary prevention methods, training the medical staff for a certain type of patients and decreasing the required costs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective statistical epidemiological analysis of 242 patients with zygomatic bone fractures over a 10-year period was performed.

RESULTS

The most affected age group was 20-29 years (27.27%). The most affected were men (n=211, 87.19%) from urban areas (n=140, 57.85%), and without education (n=122, 50.41%). The most frequent cause was interpersonal violence (54.04%), followed by falls (17.36%) and road traffic accidents (16.53%).

CONCLUSIONS

Interpersonal violence as a cause of zygomatic bone fractures is currently reaching epidemic proportions. Taking legal measures to prevent aggression is a public health emergency that would considerably decrease the incidence of these fractures in our population.

Comparison of Maxillofacial Trauma Patterns in the Urban Versus Suburban Environment: A Pilot Study

Introduction

Assault appears to be the most frequent cause of facial fractures in certain urban trauma centers, possibly due to the ease of acquiring weapons and increasingly aggressive behavior. The objectives of this study were to identify specific demographic, socioeconomic, maxillofacial fracture, and assault patterns in urban versus suburban communities.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients who sustained maxillofacial fractures from August 2014 through August 2016 at one urban campus, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, and two suburban campuses, Einstein Medical Center Montgomery and Elkins Park. The χ² testing was used to compare the categorical variables between the 2 groups.

Results

A total of 259 maxillofacial trauma patients were identified, with 204 (79%) in the urban and 55 (21%) in the suburban environment. Patients in the urban population were more likely to be African American (70% vs 33%) and Hispanic (15% vs 6%) but less likely to be Caucasian (12% vs 55%, P < .0001). Urban patients were more likely to be single (70% vs 47%, P < .01), unemployed (64% vs 44%, P < .001), and receive Medicaid coverage (58% vs 26%, P < .001). Urban patients were more likely to be victims of assault (63% vs 44%), whereas suburban patients were more likely to sustain accidental injuries (16% vs 2%, P < .0001). Urban victims were more likely to be assaulted with an object (30% vs 12%) or gun (7% vs 0%, P = .05).

Conclusion

Maxillofacial trauma patterns were shown to be significantly different in the urban versus suburban environment.

Comparing Urban Maxillofacial Trauma Patterns to the National Trauma Data Bank©

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine whether certain maxillofacial fracture patterns and injury mechanisms were more prevalent in an urban environment. In addition, we aimed to determine if maxillofacial trauma incidence correlated with income.

METHODS

Data was collected from Einstein Healthcare Network and Temple University Health System. These data were compared to the 2016 National Trauma Data Bank© (NTDB©) using chi-square analysis. Multivariate analysis was used to identify correlations between demographic variables and fracture patterns. Sociodemographic data was further characterized utilizing neighborhood mapping.

RESULTS

A total of 252 patients from our urban campuses and 14 447 patients from the NTDB© were identified with facial fractures. Maxillofacial trauma patients in the urban population were more likely to be minorities and less likely to be Caucasian compared to the NTDB© (P < .001). Patients in the urban setting were more likely to sustain mandibular and orbital fractures, and less likely to sustain maxillary fractures and multiple fractures (P < .001). Urban maxillofacial trauma patients were more likely to sustain assault and sporting injuries, and less likely to sustain injuries from motor vehicle accidents and self-harm (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Maxillofacial trauma patterns and injury mechanisms were shown to be significantly different in an urban environment as compared to national data.

Traffic accidents, maxillofacial injuries and risk factors: A systematic review of observational studies

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the risk factors for maxillofacial injuries among victims of traffic accidents.

METHOD

A systematic review of articles published until February 2017 was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Studies were selected by two independent reviewers (ϰ = 0.841). The risk of bias in the selected studies was assessed using an adapted version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies.

RESULTS

A total of 2703 records were found, of which only three articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were analyzed, including 422 244 patients. The male/female ratio ranged from 3.4: 1 to 6: 1. All eligible studies performed the multivariate statistical analysis. Eleven risk factors for maxillofacial traumas were identified: victim's gender (P < 0.05), age group (P < 0.05), residence region (P < 0.05), impact characteristics (P < 0.05), increased net change in velocity due to collision (P < 0.05), increase in occupant's height (P < 0.05), nonuse of protective equipment (P < 0.05), type of accident (P < 0.05), time of occurrence (P < 0.05), lesion severity (P < 0.05), and occurrence of concomitant lesions (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that sociodemographic characteristics, as well as those related to the collision patterns and circumstances of traffic accidents, may influence the occurrence of maxillofacial injuries. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the high heterogeneity among studies.

Is the Face an Air Bag for the Brain and Torso?—The Potential Protective Effects of Severe Midface Fractures

We investigated the patterns of injury associated with major midface trauma. Our hypothesis is that midface injuries are associated with a decrease in certain traumatic brain injuries as well as major torso injuries. The registry of our Level I trauma center was queried for all adult patients treated over 25 years from 1989 to 2013. Patients with midface fractures were identified based on the ICD-9 code. Associated injuries were defined based both on individual ICD-9 codes as well as the Barell Injury Matrix. Injury etiology was defined based on e-codes. Univariate analysis was performed using chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and Wilcoxon test. A total of 29,152 patients were identified. Excluding pediatric patients, those with exclusively penetrating trauma, and patients with incomplete data, 20,971 patients were included for subsequent analysis. Midface fractures were identified in 752 patients. Patients with Le Fort fractures were more likely to be male, have a higher Injury Severity Score, a lower arrival Glasgow Coma Scale, and more likely to require intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation, with a longer hospital length of stay. Patients with midface fractures had significantly fewer subdural hematomas, subarachnoid hemorrhages, spine fractures, and were less likely to have associated abdominal and pelvic injuries. Patients with midface fractures were more likely to require facial reconstruction procedures and craniotomy. Patients presenting with midface fractures after blunt trauma have a distinctly different pattern of injuries. One potential mechanism for this is a deceleration effect, where midface impact and resulting fractures dissipate some of the energy.

Retrospective evaluation of tooth injuries and associated factors at a hospital emergency ward

Background

The aim of study was to determine the occurrence of tooth injuries and associated factors among patients treated at a hospital emergency ward.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving the analysis of 790 patient charts. The independent variables were gender, place of residence and type of accident. The dependent variable was tooth injury (fractures, concussion, luxation and avulsion). Statistical analysis involved the chi-square test, Poisson analysis and logistic regression. Explanatory variables with a p-value < 0.20 in the bivariate analysis were incorporated into the multivariate model.

Results

A total of 681 (86.2 %) patients had tooth injury, among whom 159 (20.1 %) had tooth fractures. Tooth concussion was associated with residence in urban areas (PR = 1.635; 95 % CI: 1.199-2.230), the male gender (PR = 1.673; 95 % CI: 1.225-2.285), violence (PR = 1.940; 95 % CI: 1.263-2.982) and sports (PR = 1.863; 95 % CI: 1.287-2.696). The prevalence rate of tooth fracture was higher among individuals having suffered a motorcycle (PR = 1.597; 95 % CI: 1.295-1.968) or bicycle accident (PR = 1.484; 95 % CI: 1.245-1.769). Victims of bicycle accidents had a 42.6-fold greater chance of suffering luxation (95 % CI: 20.917-86.808) and a threefold greater chance of suffering avulsion (95 % CI: 1.620-5.848). Victims of motorcycle accidents had a 2.96-fold greater chance of suffering avulsion (95 % CI: 1.471-5.937).

Conclusions

In the study, concussion was the most frequent type of tooth injury. Motorcycle and bicycle accidents were associated with tooth fractures, luxation and avulsion, whereas sports and violence were associated with dental concussion. The findings on tooth injuries can contribute to public health policies regarding the prevention and health promotion measures.

Is there an association between traumatic dental injury and social capital, binge drinking and socioeconomic indicators among schoolchildren?

OBJECTIVES

Traumatic dental injury is defined as trauma caused by forces on a tooth with variable extent and severity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of traumatic dental injury and its association with overjet, lip protection, sex, socioeconomic status, social capital and binge drinking among 12-year-old students.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 633 12-year-old students. Data were collected through a clinical exam and self-administered questionnaires. Socioeconomic status was determined based on mother's schooling and household income. The Social Capital Questionnaire for Adolescent Students and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) were used to measure social capital and binge drinking, respectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of traumatic dental injury was 29.9% (176/588). Traumatic dental injury was more prevalent among male adolescents (p = 0.010), those with overjet greater than 5 mm (p < 0.001) and those with inadequate lip protection (p < 0.001). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, overjet [OR = 3.80 (95% CI: 2.235-6.466), p < 0.0001], inadequate lip protection [OR = 5.585 (95% CI: 3.654-8.535), p < 0.0001] and binge drinking [OR = 1.93 (95% CI: 1.21-3.06), p = 0.005] remained significantly associated with traumatic dental injury.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that a high level of total social capital and trust are not associated with TDI in adolescents, unlike binge drinking. The effects of social and behavioral factors on TDI are not well elucidated. Therefore, further research involving other populations and a longitudinal design is recommended.

Prevalence of facial trauma and associated factors in victims of road traffic accidents

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of facial trauma among victims of road traffic accidents and investigate factors associated with it.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out using the medical and dental charts of 2570 victims of road traffic accidents with bodily and/or facial injuries between 2008 and 2011. Sociodemographic variables of the victims and characteristics of the accidents and injuries were evaluated. Statistical analyses included the χ(2) test as well as the Poisson univariate and multivariate regression analyses for the determination of the final hierarchical model.

RESULTS

The prevalence of facial injuries was 16.4%. Most of the victims were male. Among the victims with facial injuries, 44.3% had polytrauma to the face. The prevalence of facial injuries was high among accidents that occurred at night (Prevalence Ratio (PR), 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.84; P = .007) and victims up to 9 years of age (PR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.03-5.17; P = .041). Moreover, the prevalence of facial injuries was lower among victims of motorcycle accidents than victims of automobile accidents (PR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44-0.89; P = .001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of facial injuries was high in this study and was significantly associated with the place of residence, time of day, age group, and type of accident.

Assessment of the fixation of mandibular symphysis fractures using conical cannulated screws: mechanical and photoelastic tests

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to use mechanical and photoelastic tests to compare the performance of cannulated screws with other fixation methods in mandibular symphysis fractures.

STUDY DESIGN

Ten polyurethane mandibles were allocated to each group and fixed as follows: group PRP, 2 perpendicular miniplates; group PLL, 1 miniplate and 1 plate, parallel; and group CS, 2 cannulated screws. Vertical linear loading tests were performed. The differences between mean values were analyzed with the Tukey test. The photoelastic test was carried out using a polariscope.

RESULTS

The results revealed differences between the CS and PRP groups at 1, 3, 5, and 10 millimeters of displacement. The photoelastic test confirmed higher stress concentration in all groups close to the mandibular base, whereas the CS group showed it throughout the region assessed.

CONCLUSIONS

Conical cannulated screws performed well in mechanical and photoelastic tests.