Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on incidence of maxillofacial fractures: A retrospective analysis

• Published in: Advances in oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 6; p. 100289
• Main Authors: Boom, L.J., Wolvius, E.B., Rozeboom, A.V.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2022; The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; Elsevier
• Subjects: COVID-19; Epidemiology; Maxillofacial injuries; Quarantine; COVID-19; Quarantine; Epidemiology; Maxillofacial injuries
• ISSN: 2667-1476; 2667-1476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.adoms.2022.100289

COVID-19 lockdown restrictions greatly influenced people's behaviour and movements, and therefore patient presentation may differ in maxillofacial trauma surgery during lockdown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a lockdown on the incidence, types and mechanisms of injury of maxillofacial fractures. In this single-centre retrospective cohort study patients who visited the maxillofacial surgeon after traumatic injury between 15 March and 1 June in the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 were included. The primary outcome is the incidence of maxillofacial fractures during the lockdown in 2020 compared to the pre-lockdown and post-lockdown periods. Secondary outcomes are type of fracture and mechanism of injury. A total of 130 patients with maxillofacial fractures were identified. During the lockdown 0.51 (95% CI 0.32–0.84) times less maxillofacial fractures were reported. A significant association was found between mechanism of injury and lockdown compared to the post-lockdown period. No further associations were found between a lockdown and type of fracture or mechanism of injury. In conclusion, the incidence of maxillofacial fractures was significantly lower compared to equivalent time periods in other years, but recovered after lockdown.