Citation

Wang CJ, Hoffman GR, Walton GM. Craniomaxillofac. Trauma Reconstr. 2021; 14(2): 150-156.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1177/1943387520962280

PMID

33995836

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was undertaken of a cohort of facially injured patients using matched 8-week periods: non-COVID (2019) and COVID (2020).

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there were any changes to the frequency and characteristics of facial injury due to the imposition of COVID-19 social distancing measures.

METHODS: The primary predictor variable was an 8-week period of COVID-19 social distancing. The primary outcome variable was the sustaining of a facial injury. Demographic (age/gender) and injury characteristics (mechanism, site, and treatment) were also studied. Descriptive statistical analysis was undertaken and comparison made using Pearson χ(2) and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS: The number of facial injuries decreased from 103 (2019) to 73 (2020). There were statistically significant differences in changes over time for the 8-week periods. There were some clinically apparent differences seen in the characteristics of facial injuries.

CONCLUSIONS: The imposition of COVID-19 social distancing changed the frequency and characteristics of facial injury.

Language: en

Keywords

epidemiology; COVID-19; facial injury; social distancing