SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Rocchi G, Fadda MT, Marianetti TM, Reale G, Iannetti G. J. Trauma 2007; 62(2): 404-409.

Affiliation

Departments of Neurosurgery and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/01.ta.0000197627.05242.a4

PMID

17297332

Abstract

BACKGROUND:: The lack of a common agreement on the precise meaning of the term "adolescence" makes it difficult to interpret the literature regarding fractures in this age group. METHODS:: The records of all patients with craniofacial trauma admitted to the Division of Maxillo-Facial Surgery of the Rome "La Sapienza" University Hospital between February 2001 and August 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. Besides the anatomical site of the fracture, the authors also reviewed in the group of adolescent fractures the cause, complications, and the safety devices employed and their effectiveness. RESULTS:: Of 601 patients admitted after facial or craniofacial fractures, 96 were between 11 and 19 (15.97%). The most frequent cause of fracture in this age group was motorcycle crash (39/96), followed by car crash (26/96), sporting accident (15/96), attacks (11/96), microcar crash (2/96), accidental fall (2/96), and firearm trauma (1/96). Only three patients wearing a full-face helmet suffered facial fractures; the most severe fractures with neurosurgical complications occurred in patients without a helmet; the majority of facial fractures occurred in patients wearing an open-face helmet. CONCLUSIONS:: It is universally agreed that the primary cause of fracture is road collisions and, although car crashes prevail in all other age groups, motorcycle crashes are more frequent in adolescents. It is necessary to emphasize the need for protective devices capable of avoiding not only neurosurgical complications but also maxillofacial fractures (full-face helmet).


Language: en

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print