Retrospective analysis of 15 years of horse-related maxillofacial fracture data at a major German trauma center.
Abstract: 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. Conclusions: 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.
© 2020. The Author(s).
Publication Date: 2020-07-22 PubMed ID: 32699917PubMed Central: PMC9360122DOI: 10.1007/s00068-020-01450-wGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study examines how factors like the cause of accident, rider details, use of protective gear, and horse shoeing can affect the location of horse-related facial fractures as well as treatment duration, complications post-surgery, and hospital stay length.
Purpose and Methods
- The aim of this study was to ascertain how certain factors, including the type of injury (such as fall or kick), rider details, horse riding experience, usage of protective gear and whether the horse was shod, impacted the area of horse-related maxillofacial fractures, surgical duration, rate of post-surgical complications, and length of hospital stay.
- Using a retrospective approach, the researchers reviewed medical records of patients treated for horse-related maxillofacial fractures at a specific institution in Germany from January 2000 to March 2015.
- In order to test for statistical correlations, the researchers used both linear and logistic regression on the mentioned factors.
Results
- During the research period, the researchers treated 138 horse-related facial fractures in 71 patients. On average, these patients were 34.5 years old and 80.3% of them were female.
- Most of the maxillofacial fractures were because of a horse’s kick (71.8%) while the rider was unmounted. Majority of the injuries happened to experienced riders (70.4%).
- There was a marked correlation between wearing protective gear and a shorter hospital stay as well as a lower risk of post-surgical complications.
Conclusions
- The researchers concluded that the equestrian community needs more education regarding the importance of wearing protective gear even when unmounted.
- They also suggested a redesign of safety helmets to include a faceguard and that these should be worn at all times for the best protection.
Cite This Article
APA
Stier R, Tavassol F, Dupke C, Rüter M, Jehn P, Gellrich NC, Spalthoff S.
(2020).
Retrospective analysis of 15 years of horse-related maxillofacial fracture data at a major German trauma center.
Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg, 48(4), 2539-2546.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-020-01450-w Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Facial Surgery, Catholic Children's Hospital, Wilhelmstift, Liliencronstrasse 130, 22149, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. spalthoff.simon@mh-hannover.de.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / surgery
- Female
- Head Protective Devices
- Horses
- Humans
- Retrospective Studies
- Skull Fractures / epidemiology
- Skull Fractures / etiology
- Skull Fractures / surgery
- Trauma Centers
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Al-Ali MA, Mousa HM, Nibelle I, Hefny AF. Camel-Related Facial Injuries: A Seven-Year Retrospective Study.. Clin Pract 2023 Aug 1;13(4):889-897.
- Ghanaati S. Focus on craniomaxillofacial injuries in trauma patients.. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2022 Aug;48(4):2511-2512.
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