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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Craniofac Surg / Craniofacial Fractures in Equine-Related Injuries: What Shou...
The Journal of craniofacial surgery2021; 32(4); 1409-1412; doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000007545

Craniofacial Fractures in Equine-Related Injuries: What Should a Maxillofacial Surgeon Expect?

Abstract: Patients with equine-related injuries (ERI) have high rates of hospitalization and often require surgical treatment. This study aimed to clarify the injury profiles of patients sustaining ERI-related craniofacial fractures and their relationship with other severe head and neck injuries.This retrospective study included all patients with craniofacial fractures admitted to a tertiary trauma center during 2013 to 2018. Out of 3256 patients, a total of 39 patients were included in the study (1.2%). Demographic and clinically relevant variables were reported and statistically evaluated.Males represented only 7.7% of the study population. Isolated facial fractures were over-represented in this study population at 84.6% whereas only 7.7% of patients sustained isolated cranial fractures and 7.7% of patients sustained combined craniofacial fractures, respectively. Surgical intervention for craniofacial fractures was required in 48.7% of patients. In total, 17.9% of patients sustained severe head and neck injuries. Periods of unconsciousness and/or post-traumatic amnesia were seen in 41% of patients. Helmet use could only be confirmed in 17.9% of patients.As trauma mechanisms behind ERI are often multifactorial and patients are at a high risk of sustaining associated injuries, attentive examination, and exclusion of serious life-threatening injuries through a multi-disciplinary approach is imperative for this specific patient population.
Copyright © 2021 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-30 PubMed ID: 34842402DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000007545Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study investigates the injury patterns in patients who have suffered horse-related injuries (ERI), specifically craniofacial fractures, and their connection with other severe head and neck injuries. The study highlights the importance of a thorough examination and multi-disciplinary treatment approach due to the complex trauma mechanisms involved in ERI.

Methodology and Study Sample

  • The study is retrospective in nature and reviews cases of craniofacial fractures admitted to a tertiary trauma center from 2013 to 2018.
  • From a total of 3256 patients, 39 (1.2%) of these were included in the study, indicating a small but significant segment of trauma patients who had sustained equine-related injuries.
  • Various demographic and clinically relevant variables were taken into consideration and analyzed statistically.

Demographic Findings

  • Interestingly, only 7.7% of the patients in the sample were males, perhaps suggesting a greater percentage of women engaging in horse-related activities.

Injury Profile

  • This study found the occurrence of isolated facial fractures to be notably high at 84.6% among this particular demographic.
  • Only 7.7% of patients had isolated cranial fractures, while an equal percentage suffered from combined craniofacial fractures.
  • We can infer from the study that equine-related accidents commonly lead to facial rather than cranial fractures.

Treatment and Related Issues

  • Almost half, or 48.7% of the patients required surgical intervention for their craniofacial fractures. This highlights the severity of such injuries.
  • A significant 17.9% of patients also sustained severe head and neck injuries.
  • Post-traumatic amnesia or periods of unconsciousness were observed in 41% of the cases, underlining the potential for serious complications from these injuries.

Helmet Use and Safety

  • Helmet use could be confirmed in only 17.9% of the cases. This indicates a possible lack of widespread safety measures among those involved in equine activities, opening an avenue for increased safety advocacy.

Conclusions Drawn

  • The study emphasizes the need for an attentive examination process due to the multifaceted nature of trauma mechanisms in equine-related injuries.
  • It also asserts the need for a multidisciplinary approach to treat such patients, given the high risk of associated injuries.
  • This study helps to shed light on the injury profiles in equine-related injuries, which can inform improved safety measures and treatment protocols in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Puolakkainen T, Marttila E, Thorén H, Snäll J. (2021). Craniofacial Fractures in Equine-Related Injuries: What Should a Maxillofacial Surgeon Expect? J Craniofac Surg, 32(4), 1409-1412. https://doi.org/10.1097/SCS.0000000000007545

Publication

The Journal of craniofacial surgery
ISSN: 1536-3732
NlmUniqueID: 9010410
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 32
Issue: 4
Pages: 1409-1412

Researcher Affiliations

Puolakkainen, Tero
  • Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki.
Marttila, Emilia
  • Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki.
Thorén, Hanna
  • Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku.
  • Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Snäll, Johanna
  • Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Facial Injuries / epidemiology
  • Facial Injuries / etiology
  • Head Protective Devices
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Maxillofacial Injuries / epidemiology
  • Maxillofacial Injuries / etiology
  • Maxillofacial Injuries / surgery
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skull Fractures / epidemiology
  • Skull Fractures / etiology
  • Skull Fractures / surgery

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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