Patterns of pediatric cervical spine fractures in association with mandibular and facial fractures

Risk Factors for Acute-Level Hospital Course in Pediatric Craniofacial Fractures

PURPOSE

The pediatric craniofacial trauma literature is limited to single institutions or short study periods. Herein, this study analyzes a national database over 10 years to delineate the epidemiology of pediatric craniofacial fractures and to identify risk factors for acute-level hospital course in the largest series to date.

METHODS

Utilizing the National Trauma Data Bank, pediatric craniofacial fractures admitted between 2010 and 2019 were identified. Descriptive analyses and multivariable regression were performed to identify risk factors for acute-level hospital course.

RESULTS

A total of 155,136 pediatric craniofacial fracture cases were reviewed, including cranial vault (49.0%), nasal (22.4%), midface (21.0%), mandibular (20.2%), and orbital floor fractures (13.7%). Midface and orbital floor fractures occurred commonly as multicraniofacial fractures. Cranial vault fractures were the most common among all age groups, but frequency declined with age. In contrast, facial fractures increased with age. Despite the inherent complexity of multicraniofacial trauma, isolated fractures remained a concern for acute-level hospital course.Cranial vault and midface fractures had an increased risk of intracranial injury and intensive care unit admission (P<0.001). Mandibular and midface fractures had an increased risk for cervical spine fracture and tracheostomy (P<0.001). Patient and injury-specific risk factors among the fractures with the strongest association for each outcome-cranial vault and mandible-were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The inherent limitations of prior studies-geographical biases, small cohorts, and short-term study periods-were addressed. Describing the independent contribution of each craniofacial fracture to the risk of acute-level hospital course outcomes can be employed to better optimize risk stratification, counseling, and management.

Pediatric Facial Fracture Associated Craniofacial and Cervical Spine Injury

Management of pediatric facial fractures depends on location and severity, age, and associated injuries. Accurate diagnosis of associated injuries is crucial for effective treatment. This study evaluates the incidence of associated injuries and seeks to determine the influencing factors to provide imaging guidance. A retrospective review of pediatric facial fractures from the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank from 2017 to 2021 was completed. Associated cervical spine (c-spine), skull fracture, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and intracranial bleeding were evaluated. Demographics, fracture patterns, mechanisms, protective devices, and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were reviewed. A total of 44,781 pediatric patients with 65,613 facial fractures were identified. Of the total, 5.47% had a c-spine injury, 21.86% had a skull fracture, 18.82% had TBI, and 5.76% had intracranial bleeding. Multiple fractures significantly increased the rate of all associated cranial and c-spine injuries. Single midface fractures had the highest c-spine, TBI, and intracranial bleeding rates. With increasing age, there was a significant increase in c-spine injury and TBI, while there was a decrease in skull fractures. Motor vehicle accidents and GCS <13 were associated with significantly increased rates of all injuries. Among pediatric patients with facial fractures, 5.47% had a c-spine injury, 21.86% had a skull fracture, 18.82% had TBI, and 5.76% had intracranial bleeding. The authors' findings recommend c-spine imaging in older age and cranial imaging in younger patients. Multiple facial fractures, fractures of the midface, decreased GCS, and motor vehicle accidents increase the need for both c-spine and cranial imaging.

Concomitant Cervical Spine Injuries in Pediatric Maxillofacial Trauma: An 11 Year Review of the National Trauma Data Bank

PURPOSE

Craniofacial trauma with concomitant cervical fractures (CCFs) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. We aim to characterize its incidence, injury patterns, outcomes, and risk factors, along with identifying any association between mandible fractures and cervical injuries via the National Trauma Databank.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed using National Trauma Databank records between 2007 and 2017 to identify patients equal or under the age of 18 years hospitalized for maxillofacial trauma and with recorded cervical injury. Variables of interest include age, gender, race/ethnicity, trauma type (blunt vs penetrating), Injury Severity Score, area involved, mechanism of injury, comorbid conditions, inpatient complications, and discharge disposition. Retrospective cohorts were separated by CCF status. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable regression analysis was utilized, with P-value <.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 32,952 patients were included in the study, with the majority being White (60.8%), male (68.2%), and between the ages of 13 and 18 years (65%). Of these, 8.2% experienced CCF. Most common mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle trauma (32.6%), interpersonal violence (18.8%), and falls (13.5%). Univariate analysis revealed patients with CCF were significantly older (15.2 vs 12.9; P < .001), more likely to be motor vehicle occupants (46.6 vs 31.9%; P < .001), and suffer polyfacial fractures (62.6 vs 60.7%; P < .001). Longer length of stay (9.4 vs 3.6 days; P < .001) and significantly higher inpatient complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, unplanned intubation, severe sepsis, pressure ulcer, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and unplanned return to operating room were observed in the CCF cohort. Female gender (1.5 [1.37 to 1.64; 95% confidence interval {CI}] P < .001) and higher Injury Severity Score (1.12 [1.11 to 1.11; 95% CI] P < .001) were associated with significantly higher odds on multivariable analysis. The presence of a mandible fracture was not associated with increased CCF on multivariate analysis (1.06 [0.92 to 1.22; 95% CI] P = .36).

CONCLUSIONS

There are statistically significant differences in demographics, outcomes, and injury patterns in maxillofacial patients with CCF that may help guide treatment. No association between mandible fractures and cervical trauma was identified.