Soft Tissue Trauma: Critical Recognition and Timing of Intervention in Emergency Presentations.

The facial trauma surgeon will see a variety of facial injuries. Recognition of emergency cases and proper intervention is and this article aims to highlight those cases and the respective proper interventions.

Emergency Facial Injuries in Athletics.

Dental and oral injuries are a common occurrence in sport. Initial evaluation should always begin with an assessment of the patient's airway, breathing, circulation, as well as identification of associated injuries. Tooth avulsions are the only true dental emergency. Oral lacerations frequently do not require repair; however, special attention should be paid to lip lacerations involving the vermillion border. Most tooth and oral lacerations can be treated on the field with urgent referral to a dentist.

A Prediction Model for Selective Use of Facial Computed Tomography in Blunt Head Trauma Patients.

BACKGROUND: Head trauma patients may have concomitant facial fractures, which are usually underdetected by head computed tomography alone. This study aimed to identify the clinical indicators of facial fractures and to develop a risk-prediction model to guide the discriminative use of additional facial computed tomography in head trauma. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed head trauma patients undergoing simultaneous head and facial computed tomography at a Level II trauma center from 2015 to 2018. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate independent risk factors for concomitant facial fractures in head trauma patients using data collected from 2015 to 2017, and a risk-prediction model was created accordingly. Model performance was validated with data from 2018. RESULTS: In total, 5045 blunt head trauma patients (development cohort, 3534 patients, 2015 to 2017; validation cohort, 1511 patients, 2018) were enrolled. Concomitant facial fractures occurred in 723 head trauma patients (14.3 percent). Ten clinical and head computed tomographic variables were identified as predictors, including age, male sex, falls from elevation, motorcycle collisions, Glasgow Coma Scale scores less than 14, epistaxis, tooth rupture, facial lesions, intracranial hemorrhage, and skull fracture. In the development cohort, the model showed good discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.891), calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow C test, p = 0.691), and precision (Brier score = 0.066). In the validation cohort, the model demonstrated excellent discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.907), good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow C test, p = 0.652), and good precision (Brier score = 0.083). With this model, 77.1 percent of unnecessary facial computed tomography could be avoided. CONCLUSION: This model could guide the discriminative use of additional facial computed tomography to detect concomitant facial fractures in blunt head trauma. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Head Computed Tomography Scans in Elderly Patients with Low Velocity Head trauma after a Fall.

BACKGROUND: Recommendations for a head computed tomography (CT) scan in elderly patients without a loss of consciousness after a traumatic brain injury and without neurological findings on admission and who are not taking oral anticoagulant therapy, are discordant. OBJECTIVES: To determine variables associated with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and the need for neurosurgery in elderly patients after low velocity head trauma. METHODS: In a regional hospital, we retrospectively selected 206 consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years with head CT scans ordered in the emergency department because of low velocity head trauma. Outcome variables were an ICH and neurological surgery. Independent variables included age, sex, disability, neurological findings, facial fractures, mental status, headache, head sutures, loss of consciousness, and anticoagulation therapy. RESULTS: Fourteen patients presented with ICH (6.8%, 3.8-11.1%) and three (1.5%, 0.3-4.2%) with a neurosurgical procedure. One patient with a coma (0.5, 0.0-2.7) died 2 hours after presentation. All patients who required surgery or died had neurological findings. Reducing head CT scans by 97.1% (93.8-98.9%) would not have missed any patient with possible surgical utility. Twelve of the 14 patients (85.7%) with an ICH had neurological findings, post-trauma loss of consciousness or a facial fracture were not present in 83.5% (95% confidence interval 77.7-88.3) of the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: None of our patients with neurological findings required neurosurgery. Careful palpation of the facial bones to identify facial fractures might aid in the decision whether to perform a head CT scan.

Perfil epidemiológico do trauma facial em um hospital regional do interior da bahia / Epidemiological profile of facial trauma at a regional hospital in the interior of Bahia / Perfil epidemiológico de trauma facial en un hospital regional del interior de Bahia

Introdução:Estudos retrospectivos sobre trauma facial são importantes para quantificar sua demanda para os serviços de saúde, além de contribuir parao planejamento de ações de educação e prevenção. Objetivo:Este estudo teve por objetivo traçar o perfil epidemiológico do trauma facial em um hospital regional do interior da Bahia. Metodologia:Realizou-se um estudo descritivo, transversal, por meio de análise retrospectiva dos prontuários de pacientes vítimas de trauma facial, atendidos no Hospital Geral Prado Valadares, em Jequié-Bahia,Brasil,durante o período de janeiro de 2012 a dezembro de 2014.A análise estatística foi descritiva, sendo calculada em proporções e frequências absolutas e relativas.Para a comparação entre as variáveis foi realizado o teste do Qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher.Resultados:Foram analisados 499 prontuários e observou-se que o sexo masculino (81,6%) e a etnia parda (50,3%) foram os mais acometidos pelo trauma facial. A faixa etária de maior prevalência foi de 25 a 34 anos (25,5%).O principal fator etiológico foi o acidente por motocicleta (30,1%) e houve elevada prevalência de traumatismo cranioencefálico (33,5%).Conclusões:No período estudado, verificou-se que indivíduos do sexo masculinoeadultos jovens foram os mais acometidos pelo trauma facial. Os traumas relacionados aos acidentes de motocicletae quedaforam os mais prevalentes (AU).

Introduction:Retrospective studies on facial trauma are important to quantify their demand for health services, in addition to contributing to the planning of education and prevention actions. Objective:This study aimed to trace the epidemiological profile of the facial trauma at a regional hospital in the interior of Bahia. Methodology:A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out through the retrospective analysis of medical records of patients who were victims of facial trauma, attended at the Prado Valadares General Hospital, Jequié-Bahia, Brazil, during the period from January 2012 to December 2014. The statistical analysis was descriptive, being calculated in absolute and relative proportionsand frequencies. The Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were used to compare the variables.Results:499 medical records were analyzed and it was observed that males (81.6%) and mixed race (50.3%) were the most affected by facial trauma. The most prevalent age group was 25 to 34 years old (25.5%). The main etiological factor was the motorcycle accident (30.1%) and there was a high prevalence of traumatic brain injury (33.5%). Conclusions:During the study period, it was found that male individuals and young adults were the most affected by facial trauma. Traumas related to motorcycle accidents and falls were the most prevalent (AU).

Introducción: Los estudios retrospectivos sobre trauma facial son importantes para cuantificar su demanda de servicios de salud, además de contribuir a la planificación de acciones de educación y prevención. Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo rastrear el perfil epidemiológico del trauma facial en un hospital regional del interior de Bahía. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal, mediante un análisis retrospectivo de las historias clínicas de pacientes con trauma facial atendidos en el HospitalGeral Prado Valadares, en Jequié-Bahia, Brasil, desde enero de 2012 a diciembre de 2014. El análisis estadístico fue descriptivo, siendo calculado en proporciones y frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Para comparar las variables se utilizó la prueba de Chi-cuadrado o la prueba exacta de Fisher. Resultados:se analizaron 499 historias clínicas y se observó que los hombres (81,6%) y mestizos (50,3%) fueron los más afectados por el traumatismo facial. Elgrupo de edad más prevalente fue el de 25 a 34 años (25,5%). El principal factor etiológico fue el accidente de motocicleta (30,1%) y hubo una alta prevalencia de traumatismo craneoencefálico (33,5%). Conclusiones: Durante el período de estudio, se encontró que los hombres y los adultos jóvenes fueron los más afectados por el trauma facial. Los traumatismos relacionados con accidentes de motocicleta y caídas fueron los más prevalentes (AU).

Full-Thickness Facial Pressure Injury and Buried Dentition from Prone Positioning in a Patient with COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: Prone positioning is recognized for its efficacy in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome related to COVID-19. Here the authors present a case of a facial pressure injury and buried dentition that occurred as a result of prolonged prone positioning in a patient who was COVID-19 positive. The patient was treated with primary closure of the injury and pressure offloading.

Secondary overtriage of isolated facial trauma.

DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Academic, tertiary care, level I trauma center in a rural state. BACKGROUND: Unnecessary transfer of certain facial trauma patients results in a burden of time, money, and other resources on both the patient and healthcare system; identification and development of outpatient treatment pathways for these patients is a significant opportunity for cost savings. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the treatment and disposition of un-complicated, stable, isolated facial trauma injuries transferred from outside hospitals and determine the significance of secondary overtriage. METHODS: Retrospective chart review utilizing our institutional trauma database, including patients transferred to our emergency department between January 2012 and December 2017. Patients were identified by ICD9 or ICD10 codes and only those with isolated facial trauma were included. RESULTS: We identified 538 isolated facial trauma patients who were transferred to our institution during the study period. The majority of those patients were transferred via ground ambulance for an average of 76 miles. Overall, 82% of patients (N = 440) were discharged directly from our institution's emergency department. Almost 30% of patients did not require any formal treatment for their injuries; the potential savings associated with elimination of these unnecessary transfers was estimated to be between $388,605 and $771,372. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a high rate of patients with stable, isolated facial trauma that could potentially be evaluated and treated without emergent transfer. The minimization of these unnecessary transfers represents a significant opportunity for cost and resource utilization savings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b- Economic and Cost Analysis.

Rehabilitación de trauma facial ocasionado por fuegos artificiales utilizando triamcinolona / Aesthetic and functional rehabilitation using triamcinolone on patient suffered by facial firework injury

Introduction: Facial injuries are a common occurrence at the emergency room. Treatment for this type of trauma is complex in terms of re-establishing good oral and facial function, plus aesthetics. Objective: This paper aims to report a clinical case of aesthetic and functional rehabilitation using triamcinolone in a patient affected on the face by a fireworks explosion. Case report: A 26-year-old man was admitted to the oral and maxillofacial surgery service of the Sergipe Urgency Hospital presenting trauma after the explosion of a "Firework rocket" in his face. The patient had extensive soft tissue injury in gingival mucosa, right labial commissure, and tongue. There was also inferior incisive avulsion and dentoalveolar fracture. His clinical and tomographic evaluation presented comminuted mandibular fracture. After eighteen days he was discharged and sent to the dentistry service of the Federal University of Sergipe for aesthetic and functional rehabilitation of his facial damages. Two months later, the patient attended a University dental service to begin aesthetic and postoperative functional rehabilitation. First, the necrotic bone was removed, following intralesional infiltration of hexacetonide triamcinolone 20mg/mL into the scar of the labial region and the commissure of the lips was performed. Each application was performed after twenty days of interval. Later, lingual frenectomy and glossosplasty were done for improving his lingual mobility and then hexacetonide triamcinolone 20mg/mL infiltrations were also done in the tongue base in the following sessions. Conclusions: After five infiltrations, it was observed an improvement in the scar appearance and texture, which also had a lower contracture, as well as a lingual motricity improvement(AU)

Introducción: Las lesiones faciales son frecuentes en el servicio de emergencia. El tratamiento para este tipo de trauma es complejo en términos de restablecer una buena función bucal y facial, además de la estética. Objetivo: Reportar un caso clínico de rehabilitación estética y funcional a través del uso de hexacetónido de triamcinolona en un paciente afectado por una explosión de fuegos artificiales en su rostro. Caso clínico: Hombre de 26 años ingresado en el servicio de cirugía oral y maxilofacial del Hospital de Urgencia de Sergipe por presentar un traumatismo después de la explosión contra su rostro de un cohete de fuegos artificiales. El paciente tenía una lesión extensa de partes blandas en la mucosa gingival, comisura labial derecha y lengua. También hubo avulsión incisiva inferior y fractura dentoalveolar. A través de la evaluación clínica y de tomografía, fue posible observar fragmentación múltiple ósea en el sitio de la fractura, compatible con fractura mandibular conminuta. Después de dieciocho días fue dado de alta y enviado al servicio de odontología de la Universidad Federal de Sergipe para la rehabilitación estética y funcional de sus daños faciales. Dos meses después, el paciente asistió al servicio dental de la universidad para comenzar la rehabilitación funcional estética y posoperatoria. Primero, se retiró el hueso necrótico, luego se realizó la infiltración intralesional de hexacetónido de triamcinolona 20 mg/mL en la cicatriz de la región labial y se realizó la comisura de los labios; con un intervalo de 20 días entre cada aplicación. Posteriormente, se realizaron frenectomía lingual y glososplastia, para mejorar su movilidad lingual, y luego se realizaron infiltraciones de 20 mg/mL de hexacetónido de triamcinolona en la base de la lengua en las sesiones siguientes. Comentarios principales: Después de cinco infiltraciones se observó una mejora en el aspecto y la textura de la cicatriz, que también tenía una contractura más baja, así como una mejora de la motricidad lingual(AU)

Epidemiology of Maxillofacial Traumatisms in French Alps Metropole (Grenoble) Specificity for the mountain sports and evolution in the last 40 years.

INTRODUCTION: Over the years, several studies have been carried in the Teaching Hospital of Grenoble, analysing the epidemiology of facial injuries. The aim of this study was to gather and compare the previous works, focusing on the injuries caused by mountains sports. The evolution of mountain sports trauma in the last 40 years was studied, and observations on the protective action on the face and facial bones of the helmet were made. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data from all facial injuries treated in the years 2016 and 2017 were collected, and a retrospective study was performed. It was supplemented by the data of 3 articles (1981, 1992, 2006) and a thesis (1985). RESULTS: Localizations of the fractures, when not discriminated according to causes, were consistently the same in our study than in previous works, with 66% of upper 2/3 of the face fractures, and 22% of lower 1/3 fractures. When filtering only mountain sports traumatisms, a significant decrease of upper 2/3 facial injuries was observed in the current study compared to the 1981, 1985 and 2006 data. This drop tallies with the period where the use of the helmet generalized. The evolution of mountain sports practices, the improvement of protective personal equipment and of the security on sport sites triggered a real diminution of mid and upper face traumatisms.

Eyelid and orbital trauma for the primary care physician.

Patients who experience trauma to the eyelid or the orbit may present to their primary care providers or directly to the emergency room for evaluation of their injuries. These patients will often be in pain and may have bleeding around the eye, which can make evaluation of these patients difficult. Many traumatic injuries to the eye require quick and immediate intervention. In this article, we will review the background, anatomy, exam and management of some of the most common eye traumas including eyelid lacerations, orbital hemorrhages, intraorbital foreign bodies, and orbital fractures.

Cutaneous wound metallic residues pattern analysis with SEM-EDX in a forensic case of overkill.

The term overkill identifies the infliction of massive injuries that greatly exceed those needed to kill the victim both in number and intensity. We present the case of a Peruvian transsexual, who was choked and hit by 11 sharp-force wounds all in the facial area. The scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion X-ray analysis carried out on the skin of the facial wounds proved crucial in proving that two different point-and-edge weapons were used, following the finding of metallic micro-traces of heterogeneous composition. This discovery and the autopsy highlighted the use of two distinct types of injury (mechanical asphyxia and sharp-force trauma) showed that this murder amounted to overkill.

A Guide to Facial Trauma Triage and Precautions in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 is an emerging viral illness that has rapidly transmitted throughout the world. Its impact on society and the health care system has compelled hospitals to quickly adapt and innovate as new information about the disease is uncovered. During this pandemic, essential medical and surgical services must be carried out while minimizing the risk of disease transmission to health care workers. There is an elevated risk of COVID-19 viral transmission to health care workers during surgical procedures of the head and neck due to potential aerosolization of viral particles from the oral cavity/naso-oropharynx mucosa. Thus, patients with facial fractures pose unique challenges to the variety of injuries and special considerations, including triaging injuries and protective measures against infection. The proximity to the oral cavity/naso-oropharyngeal mucosa, and potential for aerosolization of secretions containing viral particles during surgical procedures make most patients undergoing operative interventions for facial fractures high risk for COVID-19 transmission. Our proposed algorithm aims to balance patient care with patient/medical personnel protection as well as judicious health care utilization. It stratifies facial trauma procedures by urgency and assigns a recommended level of personal protective equipment, extreme or enhanced, incorporating current best practices and existing data on viral transmission. As this pandemic continues to evolve and more information is obtained, the protocol can be further refined and individualized to each institution.

Unnecessary Interfacility Transfers for Craniomaxillofacial Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with craniomaxillofacial injuries are frequently transferred for specialist evaluation. Although transfer guidelines have improved outcomes for trauma care, no standards exist for craniomaxillofacial injuries. As a result, many patients are unnecessarily transferred emergently between facilities, resulting in high costs to patients and the health care system. This study assesses the regional frequency and necessity of transfers for isolated craniomaxillofacial injury. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all transfers with a diagnosis of "facial trauma" from 2013 to 2018. Using a previously validated framework, emergency interfacility transfers were deemed either necessary or unnecessary. RESULTS: A total of 368 transfers were identified with isolated craniomaxillofacial injuries. Only 27 percent of transfers required admission. Half of transfers were unnecessary, none of which required intervention by the facial trauma service. Of 49.5 percent of necessary transfers, 38 percent required admission for surgery or management of symptoms related to facial injury, 62 percent were discharged from the emergency department, and three patients required emergency surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated craniomaxillofacial trauma rarely requires emergency surgery; however, transferred patients occasionally require urgent and elective procedures. Unnecessary transfers result in substantial expense to the patient and the health care system, and patients ultimately experience a delay in definitive care. Unnecessary patient evaluation diverts emergency staff and resources, increasing wait times and morbidity for other patients. This study demonstrates an opportunity for transfer guidelines to improve interfacility triage of patients with facial injury. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Evaluation and Management of Sports-Related Lacerations of the Head and Neck.

Soft tissue injuries to the head and neck are a common occurrence in sports. These anatomical regions are somewhat predisposed because of the "athletic stance" that is utilized in many close-contact sports. Although appropriate use of protective equipment, including mouth guards, helmets, and face shields, has reduced the incidence and severity of these injuries, they still occur regularly. To provide appropriate medical care, one must possess adequate knowledge of the superficial and deep anatomical structures, fundamental knowledge and skill in regard to wound care, and awareness of potential poor outcomes related to lacerations of unique structures, such as the mouth, eye, or ear.

Oculocardiac Reflex in a Pediatric Trauma Patient.

We describe the case of a 6-year-old boy who presented to a tertiary care emergency department after a motor vehicle accident with facial trauma and bradycardia. The patient was found to have an orbital floor fracture and inferior rectus muscle entrapment with resulting bradycardia secondary to the oculocardiac reflex. The oculocardiac reflex is an uncommon cause of bradycardia in the setting of trauma but should be considered because it can necessitate surgical intervention.

[Fireworks injuries of the eye: an overview of current diagnostic and treatment options]. / Diagnostik und Akuttherapie von Augenverletzungen durch Feuerwerkskörper.

Fireworks can cause very different eye injuries. The injury patterns range from spontaneously healing conjunctival and corneal lesions up to a burst eyeball with very severe injuries in the posterior ocular section and traumatic enucleation. The precise initial diagnosis in an emergency situation can be a challenge for the ophthalmologist. Children and adolescents are often affected. The patient history with respect to the circumstances of the accident is particularly important to be able to estimate the extent of the injury and to initiate a conservative or, if necessary, emergency operative treatment. This article provides an overview of typical injury patterns and advice for the diagnostics, treatment and complication management.

Evaluation and Management of Traumatic Conditions in the Athlete.

The athletic training room is filled with a multitude of conditions encompassing many different specialties of medicine. When it comes to traumatic injuries in the training room, many of them are not musculoskeletal in nature. Ultrasound in the training room can help identify serious and subtle solid-organ injury and small pneumothoraces. The discussion of these conditions follows a simple outline that helps identify injury/conditions through a proper history and physical. Evidence-based treatment/management/return to play guidelines are discussed.