Maxillofacial Gunshot Injuries at an Urban Level I Trauma Center—10-Year Analysis. 2015

Olena Norris, and Pushkar Mehra, and Andrew Salama
Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the current trends in the presentation and surgical treatment of patients admitted with facial gunshot wounds (GSWs) at an urban level 1 trauma center. METHODS Retrospective analysis of facial GSWs treated by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Boston Medical Center from 2001 to 2011. The data were obtained from the institutional trauma registry and hospital records and analyzed with respect to the length of hospitalization, patient demographic data, treatment cost, and payments. RESULTS During the study period, a total of 1,957 patients were admitted to the hospital with GSWs. Of these patients, 136 (6.9%) had injuries involving the facial region, 87% were men, and the most common injury was to neck zone III. Mandible fractures were encountered in 47% of the patients. The fractures were treated within 72 hours from admission for most patients; 22% of the patients required secondary surgical procedures, 20% of the patients had associated neurologic injuries, and 9% had cervical spine fractures. Angiography was performed in 60% of the patients, with 13% requiring embolization. Finally, 70% of the patients required airway management, and the overall patient mortality was 9%. CONCLUSIONS Airway compromise was the most common life-threatening early problem. Patients admitted with higher stages of shock and lower mental status because of brain, vascular, and/or spinal cord injuries experienced prolonged hospitalization, increased treatment costs, and extended rehabilitation. Most of the facial GSWs presented as non-life-threatening injuries, but typically resulted in significant morbidity. The vast majority of injured patients relied on public aid or had no insurance.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008446 Maxillofacial Injuries General or unspecified injuries involving the face and jaw (either upper, lower, or both). Injuries, Maxillofacial,Injury, Maxillofacial,Maxillofacial Injury
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D001900 Boston City located in Massachusetts.
D005260 Female Females
D006786 Hospitals, Urban Hospitals located in metropolitan areas. City Hospitals,Hospitals, City,Hospitals, City, Non-Public-Owned,Hospitals, Metropolitan,Urban Hospitals,City Hospitals, Non-Public-Owned,Metropolitan Hospitals,Non-Public-Owned City Hospitals,City Hospital,City Hospital, Non-Public-Owned,City Hospitals, Non Public Owned,Hospital, City,Hospital, Metropolitan,Hospital, Non-Public-Owned City,Hospital, Urban,Hospitals, Non-Public-Owned City,Metropolitan Hospital,Non Public Owned City Hospitals,Non-Public-Owned City Hospital,Urban Hospital
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective

Related Publications

Olena Norris, and Pushkar Mehra, and Andrew Salama
April 2012, Annals of plastic surgery,
Olena Norris, and Pushkar Mehra, and Andrew Salama
June 2017, American journal of surgery,
Olena Norris, and Pushkar Mehra, and Andrew Salama
October 2016, The journal of trauma and acute care surgery,
Olena Norris, and Pushkar Mehra, and Andrew Salama
August 2009, Injury,
Olena Norris, and Pushkar Mehra, and Andrew Salama
January 2009, Annals of vascular surgery,
Olena Norris, and Pushkar Mehra, and Andrew Salama
March 2011, Perspectives in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy,
Olena Norris, and Pushkar Mehra, and Andrew Salama
June 2006, Perspectives in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy,
Olena Norris, and Pushkar Mehra, and Andrew Salama
July 1999, Urology,
Olena Norris, and Pushkar Mehra, and Andrew Salama
April 2012, Annals of plastic surgery,
Olena Norris, and Pushkar Mehra, and Andrew Salama
July 2013, Annals of plastic surgery,
Copied contents to your clipboard!