Midfacial Fractures Research Articles

Clinical application of submandibular endotracheal intubation in craniomaxillofacial fracture

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical application of submandibular endotracheal intubation in craniomaxillofacial fractures. MethodsThe submandibular endotracheal intubation was used to treat 10 patients with cranio-maxillofacial fractures and contraindications to nasal intubation.Ventilator monitoring data including SPO2(oxygen saturation of blood), Freq,VT,MV,PEEP, PLAT and PEAK were monitored before and after the operation of submandibular endotracheal intubation. The technique of submandibular intubation was assessed intraoperatively and in the postoperative period. The outcomes and complications are presented. ResultsThe study included 10 patients aged between 18 and 63 years(6 males and 4 females). All patients had mandibular fractures, with 6 midface fractures (60 %), 5 nasal bone fractures (50 %), 6 zygomatic bone fractures (60 %). The procedure time ranged from 6 to 10 min (mean, 7.9 min). NO delayed extubation was performed in 10 cases. The technique has proved to be straightforward and satisfactory. A postoperative superficial infection occurred in 1 patients, whereas hypertrophic scars occurred in another 1 patients. ConclusionSubmandibular endotracheal intubation is a safe procedure for intraoperative airway control in maxillofacial trauma patients who present contraindication to nasotracheal intubation.

Analyzing the Burden of Midface Fractures Due to Road Traffic Accidents in Vietnam: An Epidemiological Approach.

Road traffic accidents have significantly impacted public health in Vietnam. This study investigated the patterns of midface fractures in Vietnam and their correlation with road traffic accidents in the country. This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed 2187 medical records of patients with midface fractures in Ho Chi Minh City. After applying exclusion criteria, the fractures were categorized. Statistical analyses, including chi-squared and logistic regression, were conducted to identify associations and relationships among the types and causes of fractures. The study found that 89.3% of midface fractures stemmed from road traffic accidents, with 55.2% and 14.4% zygomatic complex fractures and Le Fort type II fractures, respectively. Adults aged 19-39 accounted for 65.1% of patients, with males at 80.5%. Traffic accidents were significantly associated with an 18.7 times higher risk of concomitant mandibular fractures and a 10.5 times higher risk of Le Fort type II fractures, irrespective of age and gender. This study underscores the need for targeted prevention strategies to decrease the incidence of maxillofacial injuries resulting from road traffic accidents in Vietnam, particularly among high-risk groups such as males and young adults.

Subcutaneous emphysema in the head and neck region

Subcutaneous emphysema is a relatively harmless finding which is pathognomonic for a mid-facial fracture in most cases. Increasing pressure will cause air to expand beyond the tissues. It is often caused by blowing one's nose, but can also result from intubation in cases of more severe trauma. Crepitus can be heard or felt subcutaneously upon palpitation. Two cases of patients presenting at an oral and maxillofacial unit with extensive emphysema in the head and neck region illustrate both a common and an unusual cause.

Serial Case of CT Scan Imaging in Fracture of Midface Region

Background: Fractures in the face region are frequently seen in motor vehicle accidents, as the face is highly exposed during such incidents. Motor vehicle accidents are common in Bali, with fracture of the face region is the 2nd most common injury found in radiologic examination. Computed tomography (CT) scans are crucial for assessing these fractures, allowing for an accurate evaluation of severity to plan the patient treatment. Case: We present serial cases CT scan images of complex midface fractures such as Le Fort, tripod, NOE and orbital wall fracture and its characteristic imaging on CT-imaging. Conclusions: CT scan may guide treatment plans aimed at minimizing disability and enhancing the patient's quality of life. Understanding the imaging characteristics of midface fractures is thus essential for effective diagnosis and management.

Frequency of Diplopia and its Management in Patients with Midfacial Fractures at A Tertiary Institute of Dentistry

Frequency of Diplopia and its Management in Patients with Midfacial Fractures at A Tertiary Institute of Dentistry

Paediatric maxillofacial fractures have increased in incidence and their nature and aetiology have changed during three decades

The safety of children’s living environment is affected by several factors. Safer living environments have been offered as one explanation to decreases in children’s fractures. Earlier studies provide evidence of a decreasing trend in children’s fractures in the past decades. The objective of this study was to investigate demographic and clinical features of paediatric maxillofacial fractures during three time periods. A retrospective cross-sectional single-centre study was designed. The study included 474 patients aged ≤ 15 years admitted to Helsinki University Hospital in Finland with maxillofacial fractures during 1980–1989, 1993–2002 and 2013–2018. Maxillofacial fractures increased by 25% during the study period. The increase was greater in boys (28%) than in girls (19%), and significant in age groups 0–5 years (71%) and 13–15 years (32%). Exclusively mandibular fractures decreased by 20%, while exclusively midfacial fractures increased more than four-fold and exclusively upper-third fractures five-fold. Being hit by object and falls from height increased more than two-fold. A temporary increase in assaults and decrease in bicycle accidents in the middle period of the study was observed. During the three decades, paediatric maxillofacial fractures have increased and both fracture type and underlying aetiology have changed. These findings reflect improvements in diagnostics, traffic safety, regulations and technology. The role of factors such as interpersonal violence and economic fluctuation on the incidence of childhood maxillofacial fractures is discussed.

Polyfracture and Cranial Injuries Drive the Cost and Inpatient Burden of Zygoma Fractures.

Facial trauma makes up a significant number of emergency room visits, with morbidity costs in excess of 1 billion dollars each year. Few studies have evaluated the economic outcomes of management and inpatient burden of facial trauma, most focusing solely on the mandible and isolated midface fractures. The authors aim to evaluate characteristics associated with increased cost and length of hospitalization of zygoma fracture management. Cross-sectional study. Level 1-trauma academic medical center. Patients with zygoma fractures who presented to our institution from 2008 to 2021. Demographics, injury mechanisms, associated injuries, treatment information, and associated costs were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the patient and fracture characteristics associated with increased cost and length of hospitalization. Our 14-year experience identified 689 patients with zygoma fractures who presented from 2008 to 2021. Seventy percent were male, and 40% occurred in Caucasian patients. The mean cost, adjusted for inflation, was $21,799.34, and the mean length of hospitalization was 5.5 days. Four or more fractures, associated cranial or intracranial injuries, and length of stay were associated with significantly higher cost, and 4 or more fractures, associated cranial or intracranial injuries, and female gender were associated with significantly longer length of hospitalization. This study represents one of the largest comprehensive databases of zygoma fractures and one of the first to provide a descriptive cost and inpatient burden analysis. To improve outcomes and reduce hospital cost and inpatient burden, protocols should be implemented to address the factors that the authors identified as contributing to increased cost and length of hospitalization.

Patterns of ZMC and Le Fort Fractures under the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic-"A Changing Face?"

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on midfacial fracture patterns/distributions and circumstances in a German craniomaxillofacial trauma center. Methods: This retrospective study compared the midface fracture patterns (excluding nasal fractures) of patients in the pre-COVID (PC) era (February 2019-January 2020) with patients in the intra-COVID (IC) era (February 2020-January 2021). In addition to baseline characteristics, the type of midface fractures, the circumstances leading to midface fractures, and hospital admissions/treatments were analyzed. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction in the total number of midface fractures was observed (PC = 88 vs. IC = 57). No significant differences were found regarding the midfacial fracture localization between both periods. During the pandemic, there was a significant increase in falls, accidents at home, and virus/flu-associated syncopes. At the same time, a significant decrease in sports accidents, interpersonal violence, and alcohol-related accidents leading to midface fractures was recorded. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in accidents during the morning time with a simultaneous reduction in accidents during the nighttime. In addition to that, a significant delay in days from trauma leading to midface fracture until hospital admission and surgical treatment (ORIF) was revealed. Conclusions: Despite the limitations of a monocentric retrospective study, the current findings lead to the conclusion that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the patterns and circumstances leading to midface fractures. Analyzing the specific characteristics of patients suffering from midfacial fractures under the influence of the COVID-19 period can represent added value in order to treat facial fractures in future pandemics.

Evaluating the Prevalence of Nasolacrimal Canal Injury in Midfacial Fractures: A Retrospective CT-Based Study.

Midface injuries, which are most common, can result in affectations to adjacent structures, including the nasolacrimal apparatus (NLA), which consists of the lacrimal sac, canaliculi, and nasolacrimal duct. The objectives of this study were to visualise the radiographic patency of the nasolacrimal canal in a computed tomography (CT) scan and assess the type of injury. This was a retrospective study wherein 322 CT scans of facial bones were analysed of patients who presented with midface fractures to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The bony nasolacrimal canal was visualised on axial and coronal sections and confirmed on sagittal sections. The collapse of the bony nasolacrimal canal was measured using the advanced tools setting in the RadiAnt DICOM Viewer (Medixant, Poznań, Poland). The values were tabulated and statistically analysed. The incidence of NLA involvement in midface fractures was 37.6% (121 out of 322 fractures). The maximal involvement was seen in zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures. The visualisation of the fractures in the CT scan revealed that avulsion of the fossa was seen in 2.5% (eight out of 322 fractures), communication of the fossa or canal in 2.8% (nine out of 322 fractures), and linear fracture of the canal in 32.0% (103 out of 322 fractures). When measured in axial section, the Le Fort III fractures presented with a median of 2.15 mm, naso-orbito-ethmoid (NOE) fractures with a median of 0.90 mm, and fronto-naso-orbito-ethmoid (FNOE) fractures with a median of 1.15 mm. In the coronal section, the type of injuries that showed avulsion of the fossa had a median of 9.00 mm, communication of the fossa or canal showed 6.52 mm and linear fracture of the canal showed a median of 7.00 mm. Many a time, the NLA is often neglected during a routine radiographic assessment of a CT scan in patients presenting with maxillofacial injuries. These injuries may not be clinically evident during examination. This might lead to postoperative clinical presentations in a patient. This study shows the various types of injuries to the NLA and its appearance on a CT scan. It also explains the requirement of soft tissue management and the clinical co-relationship of these injuries.

Illicit cocaine and opioid drug-related maxillofacial trauma: a 10-year review of a state-wide database of all hospitals admissions

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of illicit cocaine and opioid drug-related facial trauma and determine whether the presence of cocaine or opioid drug use in facial trauma patients influenced the cause of injury, morbidity, or management. A retrospective observational cohort study was performed using records from a state-wide database of all patients who presented to a Victorian hospital with a facial fracture between 2004 and 2014. Data collected included demographics, concomitant opioid and cocaine use, mechanism of injury, facial injuries, and management. Statistical analysis was done using chi-square test, Student's t tests, binary logistic regression analysis, and multivariable linear regression analysis. Results were considered statistically significant if P < .05. A total of 54,613 patient presentations for facial trauma were analyzed with 363 patients in the cocaine and opioid-related group, and 54,250 patients in the nondrug-related group. Patients with illicit drug use were more likely to have facial fractures caused by interpersonal violence when compared with nondrug users (47.9% vs 23.5%, OR = 2.23, P < .001). Opioid and cocaine users had 0.3 more total fractures per presentation, which included more midface and skull fractures, and more facial lacerations (P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference in the need for surgical management between the two groups. Opioid and cocaine affected patients also on average had a longer hospital stay of 3.4 days and required 0.9 more allied health inputs during their admission when compared with nondrug users (P < .05). This effect was similarly reflected when controlling for confounding variables (P < .001). Concomitant cocaine or opioid use in facial trauma patients leads to more violence-related injuries with higher morbidity and healthcare costs.

Pediatric Facial Fracture Associated Craniofacial and Cervical Spine Injury

Management of pediatric facial fractures depends on location and severity, age, and associated injuries. Accurate diagnosis of associated injuries is crucial for effective treatment. This study evaluates the incidence of associated injuries and seeks to determine the influencing factors to provide imaging guidance. A retrospective review of pediatric facial fractures from the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank from 2017 to 2021 was completed. Associated cervical spine (c-spine), skull fracture, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and intracranial bleeding were evaluated. Demographics, fracture patterns, mechanisms, protective devices, and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were reviewed. A total of 44,781 pediatric patients with 65,613 facial fractures were identified. Of the total, 5.47% had a c-spine injury, 21.86% had a skull fracture, 18.82% had TBI, and 5.76% had intracranial bleeding. Multiple fractures significantly increased the rate of all associated cranial and c-spine injuries. Single midface fractures had the highest c-spine, TBI, and intracranial bleeding rates. With increasing age, there was a significant increase in c-spine injury and TBI, while there was a decrease in skull fractures. Motor vehicle accidents and GCS &lt;13 were associated with significantly increased rates of all injuries. Among pediatric patients with facial fractures, 5.47% had a c-spine injury, 21.86% had a skull fracture, 18.82% had TBI, and 5.76% had intracranial bleeding. The authors’ findings recommend c-spine imaging in older age and cranial imaging in younger patients. Multiple facial fractures, fractures of the midface, decreased GCS, and motor vehicle accidents increase the need for both c-spine and cranial imaging.

Trauma of the midface : Symptoms, diagnostics and treatment

Midface fractures present aclinical challenge in otorhinolaryngology due to their often complex injury pattern and nonspecific symptoms. Precise diagnostics, including differentiated imaging procedures, are required. Interdisciplinary consultation between otorhinolaryngology, maxillofacial surgery, neurosurgery, and ophthalmology is often necessary. When selecting radiographic modalities, radiation hygiene should be taken into account. Sonography provides aradiation-free imaging alternative for fractures of the nasal framework and anterior wall of the frontal sinus. The goal of treatment is to achieve stable and symmetrical reconstruction. Depending on the injury pattern, different osteosynthesis materials, individual access routes, and various surgical procedures can be used. In clinical practice, the management of midface fractures requires amultidisciplinary, flexible, and pragmatic approach based on the fracture pattern and clinical experience.

Risk Factors for Missed Follow-up Appointments among Facial Trauma Patients.

A retrospective case-control study was performed to characterize the rate of missed follow-up appointments after facial trauma and identify associated risk factors.Follow-up appointments for facial trauma over a 3-month period at a single, safety net hospital were analyzed. Appointment-specific, sociodemographic, trauma, and management data were compared between cases (missed appointments) and controls (attended appointments). Univariate testing and multivariable logistic regression were employed.A total of 116 cases and 259 controls were identified, yielding a missed appointment rate of 30.9% (116/375). Missed appointments were significantly associated with initial clinic appointments compared to return visits (odds ratio [OR] 2.21 [1.38-3.54]), afternoon visits compared to morning (OR 3.14 [1.94-5.07]), lack of private health insurance (OR 2.91 [1.68-5.18]), and presence of midface fractures (OR 2.04 [1.28-3.27]). Missed appointments were negatively associated with mandible fractures (OR 0.56 [0.35-0.89]), surgical management (OR 0.48 [0.30-0.77]), and the presence of nonremovable hardware (OR 0.39 [0.23-0.64]). Upon multivariable logistic regression, missed appointments remained independently associated with afternoon visits (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.95 [1.12-3.4]), lack of private health insurance (aOR 2.73 [1.55-4.8]), and midface fractures (aOR 2.09 [1.21-3.59]).Nearly one-third of facial trauma patients missed follow-up appointments, with the greatest risk among those with afternoon appointments, lacking private health insurance, and with midface fractures.

Are Age and Trauma Mechanism Associated with Volume Change in the Fractures of the Bony Orbit?

Blowout fractures are common midfacial fractures in which one or several of the bones of orbital vault break. This is usually caused by a direct trauma to the eye with a blunt object such as a fist. Fracturing of the fragile orbital bones can lead to changes in the orbital volume, which may cause enophthalmos, diplopia, and impaired facial aesthetics. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between volume change of the bony orbit and age, gender, or trauma mechanism. Methods: A retrospective study of patients with unilateral blowout or blow-in fractures treated and examined in Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland was conducted. Altogether, 127 patients met the inclusion criteria. Their computed tomographs (CT) were measured with an orbit-specific automated segmentation-based volume measurement tool, and the relative orbital volume change between fractured and intact orbital vault was calculated. Thereafter, a statistical analysis was performed. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: We found that relative increase in orbital volume and age have a statistically significant association (p = 0.022). Trauma mechanism and gender showed no significant role. Conclusions: Patient's age is associated with increased volume change in fractures of the bony orbit.

Clinical analysis of 346 minor patients with maxillofacial fractures.

This study aims to analyze the clinical epidemiology, diagnostic and treatment characteristics of minor patients with maxillofacial fracture and provide a reference for the prevention and treatment. The clinical data of minor patients with maxillofacial fracture in Departmentof Traumatic and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020 were retrospectively studied and statistically analyzed in terms of age, gender, etiology, anatomic sites and treatment modalities. The mean age of the patients was (10.65±5.15) years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.91∶1. High fall was the primary cause of maxillofacial fractures in minors aged 0-6 years. Traffic accident injuries were the main cause of maxillofacial fractures in minors aged 7-12 and 13-17 years. About 65.13% of the midface and 83.08% non-condylar fractures were mainly treated by surgery, and condylar fractures were treated conservatively in 74.73% and by surgical treatment in 25.27%. The etiology of maxillofacial fractures in minors differs at different ages, so prevention strategies should be adjusted according to age. Surgical treatment has become the preferred treatment modality for midface and non-condylar fractures. Conservative treatment is still the main treatment method for condylar fractures, but the proportion of surgical treatment increases.

Electromyographic Study of Facial Nerve Function Using Two Different Surgical Approaches in Low Condylar Fractures of the Mandible: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Facial nerve (FN) dysfunction is a potential complication during open reduction of mandibular condylar fractures. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the postoperative FN function following transparotid (TP) and transmasseteric anterior parotid (TMAP) operative approaches in open reduction and internal fixation of condylar fractures using electromyogram. A randomized controlled clinical trial was designed. The study was conducted in a single tertiary-care hospital in the inpatient setting. Patients aged above 18years with unilateral condylar fracture of the jaw or bilateral condylar fractures undergoing surgery on only 1 side were included. Patients were excluded if they had fractures of the head, bilateral condylar fractures with surgery planned on both sides, a previous history of surgery in the retromandibular area, existing lacerations to approach condyle, preoperative signs of FN weakness, or a history of parotid surgery. The predictor variable was the operative approach and the subjects were allocated randomly to TMAP and TP. The primary outcome variable was postoperative FN function in the surgical approach employed using the House-Brackmann scale and electromyography (EMG) to record any subtle weakness in nerve function. The FN function is recorded at 3 time intervals postoperatively 1week (T1), 1month (T2), and 3months (T3). The secondary outcomes studied were operating time and any other complications recorded. Age, sex, fracture pattern with classification of condylar fractures into condylar neck or base fractures according to Loukata etal.4 Any associated fracture of mandible describing the anatomical location viz symphysis and parasymphysis (anterior mandible), body, contralateral condyle or greater than 1 associated fracture were recorded. Similarly, the presence or absence of any associated midface fracture was also recorded to suggest that the study participants were homogenous in all aspects. Analytical statistics included χ2 test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA followed by post hoc test to compare EMG data (mean power and mean amplitude) between 2 operative approaches (TP vs TMAP) for facial muscles including frontalis, oculi, and buccinator at different time intervals (T0, T1, T2, T3). Patients within each group were also analyzed to check for nerve recovery occurring during the follow-up period. The level of significance was set at P<.05. The study sample was composed of 22 patients with a mean age of 32.82±11.21years in TMAP and 27.82±8.54years in the TP group respectively (P=.26); male predominance of 81.8 and 90.9% in TMAP and TP group respectively (P=.53) was noted. The FN deficit as assessed by the House-Brackmann scale clinically, was at 54% (T1), 36.4% (T2), and 9.1% (T3) for the TP group and 27% (T1),9% (T2), and 0% (T3) for TMAP group; however, the results were statistically insignificant (P=.31). In surface EMG evaluation, the mean power for the frontalis muscle was significantly higher in the TMAP approach at the T3 time (105.03±9.7 vs 89.56±10; 95% confidence interval -24.28 to -6.65 with P value=.002). TP approach was faster with a mean exposure time of 9.9minutes. The results show that both approaches give comparable long-term results with the TMAP group showing better frontalis muscle activity.

A New Approach in Management of Orbital Adherence Syndrome.

Orbital walls are one of the most common sites of midface fractures and account for ~40% of traumatic injuries in this region. These fractures are often associated with changes in the anatomy of the orbital cavity and frequently affect the orbital inferior wall, infraorbital groove and canal, and medial orbital wall, which leads to changes in its pattern and volume as well. Generally, the forces required for brake superior and lateral walls are greater than those required for thin medial and inferior walls. Disruption of any of these structures leads to the expansion of orbital volume that brings to the appearance of enophthalmos, diplopia, and impaired ocular mobility. The gold standard in the treatment of orbital wall fractures is surgical reconstruction, that includes fracture site exposure, freeing tissue prolapsed into the fracture site, and re-approximating the orbital wall support, usually with an orbital implant. It usually could be achieved by the usage of such as transconjunctival, subciliary, and coronal approaches and implementation of graft and reconstructive materials, including bones, cartilage, titanium, and resorbable mesh. Today, the gold standard in orbital floor reconstruction is the application of titanium mesh orbital plates. However, their implementation could be associated with a number of postoperative complications, such as mispositioning and orbital adherence syndrome. Orbital adherence syndrome is a poorly described and understood phenomenon and appears to occur after the use of large-pored titanium mesh for orbital reconstruction. It usually appears as limited eye movement that appears 1 to 2 weeks after reconstructive procedure. Prevention is possible through careful patient selection and the placement of a smooth interface medium in the initial surgery. The aim of the current study is to present the outcomes of orbital reconstruction done by both orbital mesh and customized ​​smooth-surfaced titanium orbital implants.

Evaluation of Complications of Midface Fracture Including the Orbital Floor.

Choosing an appropriate course of treatment for midface fracture can be challenging due to the variable presentations of midfacial fractures and concurrent orbital floor injuries. To evaluate complications of midface fracture including the orbital floor. It was a cross-sectional study carried out on 456 patients diagnosed with midface fracture, including the orbital floor, clinically and radiographically. The computed tomography radiograph of each study participant was evaluated. There was a thorough clinical assessment of each study participant. There were complications like laceration (47.3%), hematoma (54.2%), infraorbital nerve paraesthesia (13.05%), Contusio bulbi (13.30%), and diplopia (13.35%). No complications were observed in 8.25% of study participants. The most common complication was laceration. The eyeball, orbit, soft tissues, and surrounding structures should be precisely examined clinically and radiologically in midface fractures.

Risk Factors for Acute-Level Hospital Course in Pediatric Craniofacial Fractures.

The pediatric craniofacial trauma literature is limited to single institutions or short study periods. Herein, this study analyzes a national database over 10 years to delineate the epidemiology of pediatric craniofacial fractures and to identify risk factors for acute-level hospital course in the largest series to date. Utilizing the National Trauma Data Bank, pediatric craniofacial fractures admitted between 2010 and 2019 were identified. Descriptive analyses and multivariable regression were performed to identify risk factors for acute-level hospital course. A total of 155,136 pediatric craniofacial fracture cases were reviewed, including cranial vault (49.0%), nasal (22.4%), midface (21.0%), mandibular (20.2%), and orbital floor fractures (13.7%). Midface and orbital floor fractures occurred commonly as multicraniofacial fractures. Cranial vault fractures were the most common among all age groups, but frequency declined with age. In contrast, facial fractures increased with age. Despite the inherent complexity of multicraniofacial trauma, isolated fractures remained a concern for acute-level hospital course.Cranial vault and midface fractures had an increased risk of intracranial injury and intensive care unit admission (P<0.001). Mandibular and midface fractures had an increased risk for cervical spine fracture and tracheostomy (P<0.001). Patient and injury-specific risk factors among the fractures with the strongest association for each outcome-cranial vault and mandible-were identified. The inherent limitations of prior studies-geographical biases, small cohorts, and short-term study periods-were addressed. Describing the independent contribution of each craniofacial fracture to the risk of acute-level hospital course outcomes can be employed to better optimize risk stratification, counseling, and management.

Do Bicycle Helmets Protect Against Facial Fractures? An Observational Study From a Level 1 Trauma Centre.

This study investigates the impact of helmet use on the incidence of facial fractures in bicycle accidents. Analyzing data from hospitalized bicyclists between 2005 and 2016, the research focused on the correlation between helmet usage and various facial fractures. The study included 1256 bicyclists with known helmet use, among whom 277 individuals (22%) were identified with a total of 521 facial fractures. The findings revealed a significant reduction in the likelihood of facial fractures among helmeted cyclists compared with those without helmets (odds ratio, 0.65; confidence interval, 0.50-0.85; P=0.002). Specifically, the odds of sustaining fractures in the zygoma, orbit, nose, and maxilla were decreased by 47%, 46%, 43%, and 33%, respectively, among helmeted cyclists. However, helmet use did not significantly alter the odds of mandible fractures. Overall, the use of helmets in bicycling significantly lowered the risk of midface fractures but showed no notable effect on mandible fractures in severe cycling incidents.