Retrospective analysis of 15 years of horse-related maxillofacial fracture data at a major German trauma center.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of the mechanism of trauma (fall versus kick), rider demographics, equestrian experience, protective equipment, and whether or not a horse was shod on the anatomic site of a horse-related maxillofacial fracture, operating time, postoperative complication rate, and length of hospital stay. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients treated for horse-related maxillofacial fractures at a single institution in Germany between January 2000 and March 2015. We used linear and logistic regression to test the above-mentioned variables for statistical correlations. RESULTS: During the study period, we treated 138 horse-related facial fractures in 71 patients. The mean patient age was 34.5 years, and 80.3% of the injuries occurred in women. Most of the maxillofacial fractures were the result of a horse kick (71.8%) when unmounted and the majority occurred in more experienced riders (70.4%). There was a significant association of wearing of protective equipment with a shorter hospital stay and lower risk of postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: More education is needed in the equestrian community regarding the use of protective equipment when unmounted. Safety helmets should be redesigned to include a faceguard and be worn at all times.

An in-depth technical and medical investigation of facial injuries caused by car accidents.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have investigated the issue of facial injuries caused by car accidents, but only a few have addressed the technical and clinical aspects of such accidents and injuries in depth. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors and protective elements for facial injuries in car accidents. METHODS: We analysed the technical and clinical data of patients with facial injuries caused by car accidents over a 16-year period (2000-2016) and investigated the following factors: sitting position, sex, age, accident time, use of a seatbelt, deployment of the front airbag, direction of impact, speed at the time of collision, and occurrence and location of facial injuries. RESULTS: Of the 1291 patients involved in car accidents who were included in our study, 291 (22.5%) had suffered facial injuries. We found a significant association between occurrence of facial injuries and sex, speed at the time of collision, impact from the back, seatbelt usage, and deployment of the front airbag. In accidents occurring at speeds over 40 km/h, automobile security measures had no significant influence on the occurrence of facial injuries in drivers and front-seat passengers. In accidents occurring at speeds between 0 and 20 km/h, seatbelt usage (without airbag deployment) solely showed a significant protective influence against the occurrence of facial injuries (odd ratio [OR], 0.130; confidence interval [CI], 0.038-0.451). In contrast, patients who were in accidents at speeds between 21 and 40 km/h suffered significantly fewer facial injuries when wearing a seatbelt with the front airbag being deployed (OR, 0.245; CI, 0.091-0.665) or undeployed (OR, 0.216; CI, 0.084-0.561). CONCLUSION: Male sex and a high speed at the time of collision are significant risk factors for the occurrence of facial injuries. The security measurements evaluated in this study only exerted a protective influence at low speeds (below 40 km/h). This indicates a possible weakness of these security systems with regard to preventing facial injuries. Engineers could benefit from these findings and improve the efficiency of existing security measures and eventually help decrease the incidence of facial injuries.

Survival Rates According to Tumour Location in Patients With Surgically Treated Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We evaluated survival rates in surgically-treated oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients at our clinic, and determined whether survival differed by tumour locations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, tumour lesions in 1,486 patients were categorized into 6 groups according to tumour location. Patients' age, sex, tumour-node-metastasis classification, resection status, 5-year and disease-specific survival rates were statistically analysed between groups. RESULTS: A significantly inferior disease-specific and lower 5-year survival rates for tumours located at the base of the tongue and oropharynx, and maxilla, due to higher T-stage and incomplete resection status were shown. Cervical lymph node metastasis and distant metastatic spread were more frequently observed with base of the tongue and oropharynx lesions. CONCLUSION: Attentive inspection and precise clinical examinations of specific oral and oropharyngeal regions are crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. Oral and oropharyngeal tumour locations play important roles in disease prognosis.

Physical and Psychological Impairments Associated with Mucositis after Oral Cancer Treatment and Their Impact on Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: Posttherapeutic mucositis is a common secondary effect of oral cancer treatment. Mucositis affects the oral mucosa, which leads to specific physical impairments in oral function and a negative impact on quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impairments associated with oral mucositis and their impact on posttherapeutic quality of life. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,652 patients treated for oral cancer during the multicenter rehabilitation study of the German-Austrian-Swiss Cooperative Group on Tumors of the Maxillofacial Region (DÖSAK), which included 43 clinics from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The analysis was based on questionnaires filled out by patients following treatment. RESULTS: Approximately 10% of 1,652 patients included in our study had physical or psychological impairments due to increased posttreatment oral mucositis; this was mainly due to adjuvant radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy administered. Oral mucositis was significantly associated with specific physical impairments, especially xerostomia and pain (p = 0.000), which required supportive care and analgesia (p = 0.000). Additionally, impaired ingestion and speech significantly led to psychological disorders such as public avoidance behavior and social isolation (p = 0.001). Depressive coping of disease (p = 0.001) and concomitant depressive tendencies (p = 0.004) were highly associated with mucositis, which was accompanied by diminished general condition (p = 0.001), bleak future prospects (p = 0.006), and a reduction in quality of life (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Minimizing mucositis-related impairments should be a main effort in oral cancer treatment to optimize patient outcome and improve quality of life after therapy.

Effectiveness of Bicycle Safety Helmets in Preventing Facial Injuries in Road Accidents.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of bicycle safety helmets in preventing head injuries is well- documented. Recent studies differ regarding the effectiveness of bicycle helmets in preventing facial injuries, especially those of the mid-face and the mandible. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to determine the protective effect of a bicycle helmet in preventing mid-face and mandibular fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from an accident research unit were analyzed to collect technical collision details (relative collision speed, type of collision, collision partner, and use of a helmet) and clinical data (type of fracture). RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2011, 5,350 bicycle crashes were included in the study. Of these, 175 (3.3%) had fractures of the mid-face or mandible. In total, 228 mid-face or mandibular fractures were identified. A significant correlation was found between age and relative collision speed, and the incidence of a fracture. While no significant correlation was found between the use of a helmet and the incidence of mid-facial fractures, the use of a helmet was correlated with a significantly increased incidence of mandibular fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Higher age of cyclists and increasing speed of the accident opponent significantly increase the likelihood of sustaining facial fractures. The use of bicycle helmets does not significantly reduce the incidence of mid-facial fractures, while being correlated with an even increased incidence of mandibular fractures.

A standardized fracture reduction model for long bones--implication and evaluation in the femur.

Fractures of the femoral bone are frequent injuries with a wide range of affected individuals. New treatment strategies and technologies are being explored permanently. Their quality is biomechanically judged by the accuracy of the anatomical reduction. Malalignment of the fragments would have an eminent impact on the overall outcome and rehabilitation. To establish a method for investigations of the reduction results of femoral fractures, we developed a model, using a navigation system for taking measurement. The dynamic reference bases (DRBs) were mounted to the intact femoral bone and registered as the reference position. A special construction allowed removal and reattachment of the DRBs without provoking change in the DRB-bone system. The model was evaluated in its constancy. Translational deviations remained below 0.9 mm and rotational deviations below 0.3° after 40 repetitive reattachments. The model could prove to be valid and reliable. An application in long-bone trauma research is reasonable.

Hands-on robotic distal interlocking in intramedullary nail fixation of femoral shaft fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Intramedullary nailing has become the gold standard in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures. This procedure involves the placement of distal interlocking bolts using the freehand technique. Accurate placement of distal interlocks can be a challenging task, especially in inexperienced hands. Misplacement of distal interlocking bolts can lead to iatrogenic fracture, instability of the bone-implant construct, or even malalignment of the extremity. Repeated drilling attempts increase radiation exposure and can cause additional bony and soft tissue trauma. We hypothesize that robot-guided placement of distal interlocks is more accurate, precise, and efficient than the freehand technique. METHODS: A custom-designed drill guide was mounted onto the arm of an industrial robot. We developed a special device to secure a generic block (Synbone, Malans, Switzerland) into which an intramedullary nail could be inserted in a standardized way. A metric scale allowed later measurements of the drillings. Digital images were taken from each side of the block for analysis of the drilling trajectories. The fluoroscope was adjusted to obtain perfect circles of the distal interlocking holes. The number of images necessary to achieve this was recorded. The axis was recognized automatically by using the differences in contrast between the matrix of the generic bone and the implant (intramedullary nail). The drill trajectories were then computed. The robot with the mounted drill-guide automatically moved onto the calculated trajectory. The surgeon then executed the drilling. We performed 40 robot assisted drillings in generic blocks. Freehand drilling served as our control group. RESULTS: Analysis of the digital images revealed a mean deviation of 0.94 mm and 2.7° off the ideal trajectory using robotic assistance. In 100% of the cases (n = 40), the distal locking hole was hit. A mean of 8.8 images was acquired. After manual drilling, 92.5% of the distal interlocks were hit. A mean deviation of 3.66 mm and 10.36° was measured. A mean of 23.4 fluoroscopic images were needed. The differences between the two methods were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Robot-guided drilling increases the accuracy and precision of distal interlocking while reducing irradiation. Considering economical and logistical aspects, this application should be integrated with robot-guided fracture reduction.