HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AFFECTED THE PREVALENCE OF MAXILLOFACIAL FRACTURES? A SINGLE CENTRE STUDY

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the present study was to assess whether the current COVID-19 pandemic affect the prevalence of patients with maxillofacial fractures in a major tertiary hospital in Greece. Materials and Methods A retrospective comparative study was performed, assessing the hospitalization of patients with maxillofacial fractures in a university-affiliated Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Patients were recorded from March 2020 and for 18 months (COVID period). For comparative reasons, a similar period was set, starting from September 2018 to February 2020 (pre-COVID period). All patients admitted with any form of maxillofacial fracture during these periods were included in the study. Results 301 patients were included in the study, 158 in the pre-COVID period and 143 in the COVID period. The mean age was 37.8 years in total. A male predominance was observed (81.7% males). Most fractures concerned the mandible in both periods (61.4% and 53.1% respectively). Panfacial fractures were recorded in 8.2% in patients pre-COVID and 6.9% in patients post-COVID. Concomitant injuries were observed in 20.6% of patients pre-COVID and 8.3% post-COVID, and ICU hospitalization was recorded in 8.9% and 4.2% respectively. Delay in definitive treatment was recorded in 1.2% and 14% of patients respectively. Conclusions Despite the relative stability of the prevalence of patients with maxillofacial fractures, the severity of those seems lower in the pandemic period. Higher delays until definitive treatment were recorded, as expected by the reduction of available human and technical resources during the pandemic.