Stanbouly, Dani

Study Design This retrospective cohort study utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for the years 2016–2018. Incidences of street fighting were identified using the corresponding ICD-10 codes. Objective To determine whether alcohol use (measured by blood alcohol content (BAC)) in patients sustaining maxillofacial trauma from hand-to-hand fighting influence hospitalization outcomes. Methods The primary predictor variable was BAC stratified into six categories of increasing magnitude. The primary outcome variable was mean length of hospital stay (days). The secondary outcome variable was total hospital charges (US dollars). Results Our final sample consisted of 3038 craniomaxillofacial fractures. Each additional year in age added +$545 in hospital charges ( P < .01). Non-elective admissions added $14 210 in hospital charges ( P < .05). Patients admitted in 2018 experienced approximately $7537 more in hospital charges ( P < .01). Le Fort fractures (+$61 921; P < .01), mandible fractures (+$13 227, P < .01), and skull base fractures (+$22 170; P < .05) were all independently associated with increased hospital charges. Skull base fractures added +7.6 days to the hospital stay ( P < .01) and each additional year in patient age added +.1 days to the length of the hospital stay ( P < .01). Conclusions BAC levels did not increase length of stay or hospitalization charges. Le Fort fractures, mandible fractures, and skull base fracture each independently increased hospital charges. This reflects the necessary care (ie, ICU) and treatment (ie, ORIF) of such fractures. Older adults and elderly patients are associated with increased length of stay and hospital charges—they are likely to struggle in navigating the healthcare system and face socioeconomic barriers to discharge.

Study Design A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Kids’ Inpatient Database from 2000 to 2014. Subjects were included if they were 18 years and younger and suffered any type of facial fracture. Objective The purpose this study was to determine the risk factors for incurring panfacial fractures among the pediatric population. Methods The primary predictor variables were a set of heterogenous variables that included patient characteristics, injury characteristics, hospitalization outcomes. The primary outcome variable was panfacial fracture. Logistic regression was used to determine the independent risk factors for panfacial fractures. Results Relative to infants and toddlers, teenagers were nearly three times more likely to sustain panfacial fractures ( P < .01). Relative to no chronic conditions, patients with one or more chronic conditions were more likely to incur panfacial fractures. Motorcycle accidents were over three times more likely ( P < .01) to result in panfacial fractures while car accidents were over two times more likely ( P < .01) to result in panfacial fractures. Falls were less likely (OR, .39; P < .01) to result in panfacial fractures. Conclusions Motor vehicle accidents was a major risk factor for panfacial fractures. Teenagers are also found to have an increased risk for panfacial fractures relative to infants and toddlers. Each additional chronic condition was a significant risk factor for suffering panfacial fractures relative to not having any chronic condition at all. In contrast, falls independently decreased the risk of incurring a panfacial fractures. Special attention should be given to safety precautions when occupying a motor vehicle.

AbstractBackground/AimIt is not known whether the mechanism of facial trauma influences the associated length of hospitalization. The aim of this study was to determine whether the mechanism of injury influenced the length of hospital stay (LOS) among pediatric patients who sustained facial fractures.Materials and methodsThis retrospective cohort study was completed using the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID). The primary predictor variable was the mechanism of injury. The primary outcome variable was LOS. Linear regression was used to determine independent predictors of increased/decreased length of stay. A p‐value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe final sample consisted of 2865 subjects aged 12 years or younger who had suffered facial fractures. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accidents (MVA) (58.6%). Facial fractures due to MVA added 1.20 days (95% CI, 0.02, 2.38; p < .05) when compared to those due to a fall.ConclusionsMVA significantly prolonged the LOS among young pediatric patients who sustained facial fractures, reflecting the exceptional amount of force involved. Having a chronic condition was also a significant factor for longer LOS. Four or more fractures also led to a longer LOS.