Characteristics and Severity of Maxillofacial Trauma in the Emergency Room at General Calixto García University Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The maxillofacial region is vulnerable to trauma. Tools are used to assess the severity of maxillofacial trauma.

Objective: To characterize maxillofacial trauma and its severity in patients cared for at the maxillofacial surgery emergency department of General Calixto García University Hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study was carried out in patients attending the maxillofacial surgery emergency department at General Calixto García University Hospital, from September 2018 to March 2021. The study universe was 57 patients. The facial injury severity scale was applied. The analyzed variables were age, sex, etiology, diagnoses, complementary examinations, severity of maxillofacial trauma, immediate therapeutic procedures.

Results: Mandibular fracture prevailed as a diagnosis (66.7 %). The most frequent etiology was interpersonal violence (29.8 %). Mild severity of maxillofacial trauma predominated (71.9 %). Extraction of foreign bodies from the airway, tongue traction, insertion of oropharyngeal cannula, orotracheal intubation (5.3 %) and suturing (64.9 %) were the most frequently used immediate therapeutic procedures.

Conclusions: There is a prevalence of male patients and the age group 19 to 30 years. Mandibular fracture predominates as a diagnosis. The most frequently used complementary tests are computed tomography, complete blood count and coagulogram. Interpersonal violence prevails as an etiology. Mild severity of maxillofacial trauma prevails. The most commonly used immediate therapeutic procedures are extraction of foreign bodies from the airway, tongue traction, insertion of oropharyngeal cannula, orotracheal intubation and suturing.