Factors affecting hospital discharge in maxillofacial trauma patients: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT

Aim: To determine factors that may affect the time of discharge from hospital in patients who underwent maxillofacial trauma. Methods: The sample included 115 patients seen at a public hospital in Brazil, to whom surgical maxillofacial treatment was delivered. Data were obtained from patients' medical records and then followed by a statistical analysis using a 5% significance level. Results: The location of fractures and other clinical features such as the presence of edema and ecchymosis were found to be significantly associated with increased time of discharge from hospital (P < 0.05). When data were modeled using a GML approach, male gender was associated with a lower likelihood of prolonged hospital discharge (OR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72­0.98; P < 0.05), while the presence of edema was associated with greater time of hospital discharge (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.14­1.49; P < 0.001). No significant association with age, etiology of trauma, and number of fractures was observed (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Female gender was associated with greater time of hospital discharge, and further concerns should be addressed to the management of lesions following maxillofacial trauma surgical interventions (AU)