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

Mineralized collagen scaffolds for regenerative engineering applications

Collagen is a primary constituent of the tissue extracellular matrix. As a result, collagen has been a common component of tissue engineering biomaterials, including those to promote bone regeneration or to investigate cell-material interactions in the context of bone homeostasis or disease. This review summarizes key considerations regarding current state-of-the-art design and use of collagen biomaterials for these applications. We also describe strategic opportunities for collagen biomaterials to address a new era of challenges, including immunomodulation and appropriate consideration of sex and other patient characteristics in biomaterial design.

Nasoethmoid orbital fracture reconstruction using a three-dimensional printing-based craniofacial plate

The face is one of the most important parts of the body. Untreated facial fractures can result in deformities that can be harmful to patients. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a rapidly evolving technology that has recently been widely applied in the medical field as it can potentially improve patient treatment. Although 3D printing technology is mostly used for craniofacial surgery, some studies have proved that it can be used to treat nasoethmoid orbital fractures. In this study, a patient-customized plate was constructed using a 3D printer and applied in a simulated surgery for the treatment of nasoethmoid orbital fracture.

Facial injury burden of personal mobility devices: a single-center retrospective analysis

Background: Personal mobility devices (PMDs) have become an increasingly popular transport modality globally. With increasing social interest in and demand for PMDs, the number of individuals visiting emergency departments with PMD-related injuries has also increased annually. This study aimed to evaluate injury patterns and treatment costs for patients treated in the department of plastic surgery in a trauma center.Methods: In this retrospective study, data concerning patients with PMD-related injuries from January 2017 to December 2021 were reviewed. The data retrieved included age, sex, alcohol consumption, helmet use, the type of impact, onset of injury, place of first visit, type of injury, admission status, operation status, and treatment cost. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of various factors on cost.Results: Data were collected from 93 patients. Until 2019, the annual number of PMD-related accidents was less than 10; however, this number increased sharply in 2020. The average cost of hospitalization was USD 7,698 whereas the average cost of non-hospitalization was USD 631. Only fractures had a significant association with total cost in linear regression analysis (<i>p</i> < 0.001).Conclusion: The prevalence of PMD use and related injuries requiring plastic surgery during the study period showed significant health and financial costs both to the patients involved and to society. This cost could be reduced through stricter regulations concerning PMD use, advocating the use of protective gear, and promoting greater awareness of safety measures and of the consequences of PMD-related accidents.

Mandibular Fractures: Diagnosis and Management

Accurate evaluation, diagnosis, and management of mandibular fractures is essential to effectively restore an individual's facial esthetics and function. Understanding of surgical anatomy, fracture fixation principles, and the nuances of specific fractures with respect to various patient populations can aid in adequately avoiding complications such as malocclusion, non-union, paresthesia, and revision procedures. This article reviews comprehensive mandibular fracture assessment, mandibular surgical anatomy, fracture fixation principles, management considerations, and commonly encountered complications. In addition, this article reviews emerging literature examining 3-dimensional printing and intraoperative imaging.

Treatment of Facial Fractures at a Level 1 Trauma Center: Do Medicaid and Non-Medicaid Enrollees Receive the Same Care?

BACKGROUND

Timing of surgical treatment of facial fractures may vary with the patient age, injury type, and presence of polytrauma. Previous studies using national data sets have suggested that trauma patients with government insurance experience fewer operations, longer length of hospital stay (LOS), and worse outcomes compared with privately insured patients. The objective of this study is to compare treatment of facial fractures in patients with and without Medicaid insurance (excluding Medicare).

METHODS

All adults with mandibular, orbital, and midface fractures at a Level 1 Trauma Center between 2009 and 2018 were included. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the differences in the frequency of surgery, time to surgery (TTS), LOS, and mortality based on insurance type.

RESULTS

The sample included 1541 patients with facial fractures (mandible, midface, orbital), of whom 78.8% were male, and 13.1% (208) were enrolled in Medicaid. Mechanism of injury was predominantly assault for Medicaid enrollees and falls or motor vehicle accidents for non-Medicaid enrollees (P < 0.001). Patients with mandible and midface fractures underwent similar rates of surgical repair. Medicaid enrollees with orbital fractures underwent less frequent surgery for facial fractures (24.8% versus 34.7%, P = 0.0443) and had higher rates of alcohol and drug intoxication compared with non-Medicaid enrollees (42.8% versus 31.6%, P = 0.008). TTS, LOS, and mortality were similar in both groups with facial fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the treatment of facial fractures was similar regardless of the insurance type, but Medicaid enrollees with orbital fractures experienced less frequent surgery for facial fractures. Further studies are needed to identify specific socioeconomic and geographic factors contributing to these disparities in care.

Big Data Statistical Analysis of Facial Fractures in Korea

BACKGROUND

The big data provided by Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) contains data from nearly all Korean populations enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service. We aimed to identify the incidence of facial fractures and its trends in Korea using this big data from HIRA.

METHODS

We used the Korean Standard Classification of Disease and Cause of Death 6, 7 for diagnosis codes. A total of 582,318 patients were included in the final analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS software and SPSS software.

RESULTS

The incidence of facial fractures consistently declined, from 107,695 cases in 2011 to 87,306 cases in 2016. The incidence of facial fractures was the highest in June 2011 (n = 26,423) and lowest in January 2014 (n = 10,282). Nasal bone fractures were the most common, followed by orbit and frontal sinus fractures. The percentage of nasal bone fractures declined, whereas those of orbital fractures increased from 2011 to 2016 (P < 0.001). Among orbital fractures, inferior wall fractures were the most common, followed by medial wall fractures. Among mandibular fractures, angle fractures were the most common, followed by condylar process and symphysis fractures. Although it was difficult to predict the most common type of zygomatic and maxilla fractures, their incidence consistently declined since 2011.

CONCLUSION

We observed trends in facial fractures in Korea using big data including information for nearly all nations in Korea. Therefore, it is possible to predict the incidence of facial fractures. This study is meaningful in that it is the first study that investigated the incidence of facial fractures by specific type.

A Cross-sectional Study of the Association between Homelessness and Facial Fractures

Background:

Little is known about the risk factors for facial fractures among homeless patients. We investigated the association between homelessness, mechanism of injury, and type of facial fracture in patients treated at an urban trauma center.

Methods:

Data for 2,221 adults with facial fractures were obtained retrospectively from a standardized registry of trauma patients at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital from 2011 to 2016. Associations between homelessness and mechanism of injury, facial fracture type, and surgical repair type were evaluated with multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Results:

Among 2,221 patients with facial fractures, 12% were homeless and, compared with housed patients, more likely to be male, black, and test positive for drug and alcohol use (all P < 0.0001). They had lower injury severity scores but longer hospital stays and were more likely to be discharged to the community than to a rehabilitation facility (all P < 0.0001). After adjusting for confounding variables, homeless patients with facial fractures were nearly 3-fold more likely to have been assaulted than housed patients (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.9–4.1, P < 0.0001) and twice as likely to have mandible fractures (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.3–3.0, P = 0.0030) and to have surgery for these fractures (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2–3.7, P = 0.0110).

Conclusions:

Our novel results demonstrate that homeless patients with facial fractures are at much higher risk than the general population for being assaulted, suffering mandible fractures, and requiring surgery for these fractures. Further investigations could guide identification, treatment, and prevention efforts.