OBJECTIVE: Penetrating brain trauma (PBT) caused by gunshot is one of the most lethal traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and its management and confrontation is of great importance. METHODS: The authors searched retrospectively the archives from 2 similar autonomous laboratories of forensic science and toxicology in the Balkan peninsula for a 10-year period of time and included only fatal penetrating brain injuries. RESULTS: The study is conducted in 61 cadavers with gunshot PBT. All of the cadavers were victims of suicide attempt. The most common anatomical localization on the skull were the facial bones, followed by skull base, temporal and parietal bone, conducting a trajectory of the gunshot. Additional findings were atherosclerosis of the blood vessels and chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and fatty liver. CONCLUSION: PBI has a high mortality rate. There are factors and findings from the collected data differing between the 2 aforementioned nations. Either way, better preventative measures, gun control and healthcare system are highly necessary.
Atherosclerosis ; Balkan Peninsula ; Blood Vessels ; Brain Injuries ; Brain ; Bulgaria ; Cadaver ; Chronic Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Ethnic Groups ; Facial Bones ; Fatty Liver ; Forensic Sciences ; Greece ; Head Injuries, Penetrating ; Humans ; Mortality ; Parietal Bone ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Skull ; Skull Base ; Suicide ; Toxicology ; Wounds, Gunshot

BACKGROUND: Nasal bone fractures occur frequently because the nasal bone is located at the forefront of the face. The goal of this study was to examine the cause, change in severity, change in incidence, and demographics of nasal bone fracture according to today's lifestyle. METHODS: A total of 2,092 patients diagnosed as having nasal bone fractures at our department between 2002 and 2017 were included in this study. We retrospectively examined patients' medical records to extract information regarding age, sex, cause of injury, combined facial bone fractures, and related injuries such as skull base fracture, spinal cord injury, brain hemorrhage, and other bone fractures. Fracture severity was classified by nasal bone fracture type. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in annual number of patients treated for nasal bone fracture. The proportion of patients who underwent closed reduction was significantly decreased over time for those with nasal bone fractures caused by traffic accidents. However, it was not significantly changed for those with nasal bone fractures due to other causes. The number of patients with combined facial bone fractures increased over time. Incidences of severe nasal bone fracture also increased over time. CONCLUSION: The study suggested that there is a decrease in the frequency and increase in the severity of nasal bone fracture due to traffic accident. Many protective devices prevent nasal bone fractures caused by a small amount of external force; however, these devices are not effective against higher amounts of external force. This study highlights the importance of preoperative thorough evaluation to manage patients with nasal bone fractures due to traffic accident.
Accidents, Traffic ; Brain Injuries ; Demography ; Facial Bones ; Fractures, Bone ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Style ; Medical Records ; Nasal Bone* ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; Nose ; Protective Devices ; Retrospective Studies ; Skull Base ; Spinal Fractures

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the injury patterns in pediatric patients with an orbital wall fracture (OWF) and to identify the differences in injury patterns between preschool and school-aged patients with OWF who presented to the emergency department. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital between January 2004 and March 2014. A total of 177 pediatric patients (<18 years) with OWF who underwent facial bone computed tomography scans with specific discharge codes were included. Patients were categorized into preschool (≤7 years) and school-aged (>7 years) pediatric groups. RESULTS: The inferior wall was the most common fracture site in both the preschool and school-aged pediatric groups (50.0% vs. 64.4%, P=0.15). The male-to-female ratio and the mechanism of injury showed significant differences between the two age groups. Violence was the most common mechanism of injury in the school-aged pediatric group (49.3%), whereas falls from a height caused OWF in approximately half of the patients in the preschool pediatric group (42.9%). Concomitant injuries and facial fractures had a tendency to occur more frequently in the school-aged pediatric group. CONCLUSION: Significant differences according to the sex and mechanisms of injury were identified in preschool and school-aged pediatric patients with OWF.
Accidental Falls ; Child* ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Facial Bones ; Facial Injuries ; Humans ; Observational Study ; Orbit* ; Orbital Fractures ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Violence

BACKGROUND: Position of the facial foramina is important for regional block and for various maxillofacial surgical procedures. In this study, we report on anthropometry and morphology of these foramina using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) data. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for all patients who have undergone 3D-CT scan of the facial skeleton for reasons other than fracture or deformity of the facial skeleton. Anthropometry of the supraorbital, infraorbital, and mental foramina (SOF, IOF, MF) were described in relation to facial midline, inferior orbital margin, and inferior mandibular margin (FM, IOM, IMM). This data was analyzed according to sex and age. Additionally, infraorbital and mental foramen were classified into 5 positions based on the anatomic relationships to the nearest perpendicular dentition. RESULTS: The review identified 137 patients meeting study criteria. Supraorbital foramina was more often in the shape of a foramen (62%) than that of a notch (38%). The supraorbital, infraorbital, and mental foramina were located 33.7 mm, 37.1 mm, and 33.7 mm away from the midline. The mean vertical distance between IOF and IOM was 13.4 mm. The mean distance between MF and IMM was 21.0 mm. The IOF and MF most commonly coincided with upper and lower second premolar dentition, respectively. Between the sex, the distance between MF and IMM was significantly higher for males than for female. In a correlation analysis, SOF-FM, IOF-FM and MF-FM values were significantly increased with age, but IOF-IOM values were significantly decreased with age. CONCLUSION: In the current study, we have reported anthropometric data concerning facial foramina in the Korean population, using a large-scale data analysis of three-dimensional computed tomography of facial skeletons. The correlations made respect to patient sex and age will provide help to operating surgeons when considering nerve blocks and periosteal dissections around the facial foramina.
Anthropometry ; Bicuspid ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dentition ; Facial Bones ; Facial Injuries ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Block ; Orbit ; Retrospective Studies ; Skeleton ; Statistics as Topic

Absorbable plates are used widely for fixation of facial bone fractures. Compared to conventional titanium plating systems, absorbable plates have many favorable traits. They are not palpable after plate absorption, which obviates the need for plate removal. Absorbable plate-related infections are relatively uncommon at less than 5% of patients undergoing fixation of facial bone fractures. The plates are made from a mixture of poly-L-lactic acid and poly-DL-lactic acid or poly-DL-lactic acid and polyglycolic acid, and the ratio of these biodegradable polymers is used to control the longevity of the plates. Degradation rate of absorbable plate is closely related to the chance of infection. Low degradation is associated with increased accumulation of plate debris, which in turn can increase the chance of infection. Predisposing factors for absorbable plate-related infection include the presence of maxillary sinusitis, plate proximity to incision site, and use of tobacco and significant amount of alcohol. Using short screws in fixating maxillary fracture accompanied maxillary sinusitis will increase the rate of infection. Avoiding fixating plates near the incision site will also minimize infection. Close observation until complete absorption of the plate is crucial, especially those who are smokers or heavy alcoholics. The management of plate infection is varied depending on the clinical situation. Severe infections require plate removal. Wound culture and radiologic exam are essential in treatment planning.
Absorbable Implants ; Absorption ; Alcoholics ; Causality ; Facial Bones* ; Facial Injuries ; Humans ; Longevity ; Maxillary Fractures ; Maxillary Sinus ; Maxillary Sinusitis ; Polyglycolic Acid ; Polymers ; Titanium ; Tobacco ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVEA study was conducted to investigate the relevant applied technique and clinical value of endoscope-assisted repair of zygomatic arch fracture.

METHODSA total of 10 cases of unilateral zygomatic arch fracture and 8 cases ofunilateral zygomatic fracture were included. Reduction and fixation of the zygomatic arch in all cases were performed via asmall face incision by an endoscope. Endoscope-assisted repair allowed exposure of zygomatic arch fracture and ended the anatomy of the reset. Zygomatic arch was stabilized with titanium plates.

RESULTSSymmetric malar was achieved in allcases after operation. Patients did not show difficulty in opening the mouth. No chewing problems or severe complicationswere evident. This method had the advantage of hidden incision, and it did not leave scars on the face. Postoperative CT examination showed excellent reduction of zygomatic arch fracture and good fixed position of titanium plate.

CONCLUSIONEndoscope-assisted repair of zygomatic arch fracture via a small face incision can be an alternative operation for zygomaticarch fracture. Patients are less traumatized. There are fewer complications. A good reduction of fracture is achieved.

Bone Plates ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Facial Bones ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Closed ; surgery ; Humans ; Titanium ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing ; Zygoma ; injuries ; Zygomatic Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

PURPOSE: Several studies have reported that facial fractures were associated with traumatic brain injuries or cervical injuries. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the location of facial injury and traumatic brain hemorrhage in order to support future decisions for image evaluation in facial injury patients. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated facial injury patients without external head trauma who visited the emergency department at our hospital between January 1, 2014 and October 31, 2014. We divided the cohort into 2 groups: Facial injury patients with associated traumatic brain hemorrhage and those without traumatic brain hemorrhage. We compared the factors related to traumatic brain hemorrhage, such as facial injury locations, mechanism of accident, types of wounds, altered mentality, headache, and loss of consciousness between the two groups. RESULTS: In 873 patients, 73 (8.36%) presented traumatic brain hemorrhage and the other 800 had no traumatic brain hemorrhage on a brain computed tomography (CT) scan. The rate of headache, loss of consciousness, altered mentality, traffic accident, fall down, fracture, temporal injury, frontal injury, multiple facial area injury, and upper facial area (frontal and upper orbital area) injury were higher in the traumatic brain hemorrhage group than in the non-traumatic brain hemorrhage group (p<0.05). The risk factors of traumatic brain hemorrhage were headache, loss of consciousness, altered mentality, facial bone fracture, and temporal area injury of the face. CONCLUSION: If a facial injury patient has any of the following factors temporal area injury, facial bone fracture, altered mentality, headache, and loss of consciousness, we have to evaluate the brain CT scan even if the patient had no external head injury.
Accidents, Traffic ; Brain ; Brain Hemorrhage, Traumatic* ; Brain Injuries ; Cohort Studies ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Facial Bones ; Facial Injuries* ; Fractures, Bone ; Headache ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Multiple Trauma ; Orbit ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Temporal Bone ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Unconsciousness ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVES: The facial bones are the most noticeable area in the human body, and facial injuries can cause significant functional, aesthetic, and psychological complications. Continuous study of the patterns of facial bone fractures and changes in trends is helpful in the prevention and treatment of maxillofacial fractures. The purpose of the current clinico-statistical study is to investigate the pattern of facial fractures over a 4-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1,824 fracture sites was carried out in 1,284 patients admitted to SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center for facial bone fracture from January 2010 to December 2013. We evaluated the distributions of age/gender/season, fracture site, cause of injury, duration from injury to treatment, hospitalization period, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The ratio of men to women was 3.2:1. Most fractures occurred in individuals aged between teens to 40s and were most prevalent at the middle and end of the month. Fractures occurred in the nasal bone (65.0%), orbital wall (29.2%), maxillary wall (15.3%), zygomatic arch (13.2%), zygomaticomaxillary complex (9.8%), mandibular symphysis (6.5%), mandibular angle (5.9%), mandibular condyle (4.9%), and mandibular body (1.9%). The most common etiologies were fall (32.5%) and assault (26.0%). The average duration of injury to treatment was 6 days, and the average hospitalization period was 5 days. Eighteen postoperative complications were observed in 17 patients, mainly infection and malocclusion in the mandible. CONCLUSION: This study reflects the tendency for trauma in the Seoul metropolitan region because it analyzes all facial fracture patients who visited our hospital regardless of the specific department. Distinctively, in this study, midfacial fractures had a much higher incidence than mandible fractures.
Adolescent ; Facial Bones ; Facial Injuries ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Human Body ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Mandible ; Mandibular Condyle ; Maxillofacial Injuries ; Nasal Bone ; Orbit ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies* ; Seoul ; Zygoma

A 21 years old male patient was admitted with a complex trauma of metal penetrating wound in maxillo facial region,neck and chest because of a high falling accident one hour ago. General examination:the vital signs were stable. Specialized examination: metal foreign body penetrated from the front wall of the axilla ,passing left clavicle superficies, through the middle of neck into the posterior pharyngeal wall, then piercing out from the superciliary arch lateral. The patient had apparent tenderness in the right arch,right zygomatic bone and the front of right maxilla. the degree of mouth was about 1. 8cm. X-ray showed the foreign body: from left armpit to right temporal part. The admission diagnosis was : 1. metal penetrating wound in maxillo-facial,neck and chest; 2. right zygomatic maxillary and zygomatic arch fractures. Treatment: the foreign body was removed smoothly through the concurrent operation, and by scendary operation of open reduction and internal fixation of fractures, the finally result of patient was good.
Accidental Falls ; Face ; Facial Bones ; injuries ; Foreign Bodies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Frontal Bone ; Humans ; Male ; Maxilla ; injuries ; Metals ; Neck ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Skull Fractures ; Wounds and Injuries ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The zygoma is the most prominent portion of the face. Almost all simple zygomatic arch fractures are treated in a closed fashion with a Dingman elevator. However, the open approach should be considered for unstable zygomatic arch fractures. The coronal approach for a zygomatic arch fracture has complications. In this study, we introduce our method to reduce a special type of unstable zygomatic fracture. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed zygomatic arch view and facial bone computed tomography scans of 424 patients who visited the Wonju Severance Christian Hospital from 2007 to 2010 with zygomaticomaxillary fractures, among whom 15 patients met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: We used a Dingman elevator and K-wire simultaneously to manage this type of zygomatic arch fracture. Simple medial rotation force usually collapses the posterior fractured segment, and the fracture becomes unstable. Thus, the posterior fracture segment must be concurrently elevated with a Dingman elevator through Keen's approach with rotation force applied through the K-wire. All fractures were reduced without any instability using this method. CONCLUSION: We were able to reduce unstable and difficult zygomatic arch fractures without an open incision or any external fixation device.
Elevators and Escalators* ; External Fixators ; Facial Bones ; Facial Injuries ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Maxillofacial Injuries ; Retrospective Studies ; Zygoma* ; Zygomatic Fractures