ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Trauma is a leading cause of injury and mortality and may involve mandibular fractures and cervical spine injuries. Manipulation of the spine during trauma protocols and operative treatment has the potential to cause serious spinal cord injuries. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with cervical spine injury (CSI) in patients with mandibular fractures. METHODS: The National Trauma Databank (2007-2010) was used to identify patients with mandibular fractures. RESULTS: A total of 59,028 patients were identified and separated into adult and pediatric cohorts. There were 50,711 adults (86%) and 8317 children (14%). There were statistically significant lower rates of associated CSI in pediatric patients than adults (3.5% versus 7.3%, P < 0.01). Predictors of associated CSI in mandible fractures for both adults and children were older age, lower Glasgow Coma Scale, thoracic injuries, firearm or motor vehicle accident mechanisms, and symphyseal fractures. In the pediatric cohort, body, ramus, and subcondylar fractures were significantly associated with CSI. In adults, female gender, and upper extremity, abdominopelvic, and head injuries were also significantly associated with CSI. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple mandibular fractures were inversely correlated with CSI. One possibility is that energy dissipation in the mandible with multiple fractures is protective of the C-spine leading to fewer fractures. Children and adults had different associations in the pattern of mandible fractures concomitant with CSI. This has implications in management, imaging, and workup of trauma patients.
Subject(s)
Cervical Vertebrae/injuries , Mandibular Fractures/complications , Multiple Trauma/etiology , Spinal Injuries/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Databases, Factual , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Multiple Trauma/diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Spinal Injuries/diagnosis , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Facial fractures in the pediatric population have a significant impact on public health. Although some demographic data exists regarding the overall epidemiology of facial fractures, little attention has been paid to the patterns of facial fractures based on the etiology of the trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Kids' Inpatient Database 2000-2009 was utilized to analyze pediatric facial fractures. A total of 21,533 patients were identified. Associations of patient characteristics with outcomes of interest were assessed. RESULTS: The top three etiologies were motor vehicle accident (MVA), intentional trauma (IT), and falls. There was a decrease in the incidence of facial fractures due to MVAs and an increase in injuries due to IT and falls. Concomitant injuries were present in 58.8% and the mortality rate was 2%. The rate of concomitant injuries increased during study period. Age was significantly associated with concomitant injury, mortality, and LOS. CONCLUSION: The increasing rate of IT and falls with concomitant injury warrants special consideration to reduce undiagnosed accompanying injuries. Further programs should be put in place to protect children younger than 5 years of age, who have increased risk of concomitant injury and mortality following intentional trauma.
