Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg.  2021;43(1):35. 10.1186/s40902-021-00322-6.

The impact of COVID-19 on the injury pattern for maxillofacial fracture in Daegu city, South Korea

• Lee DW
• Choi SY
• Kim Jw
• Kwon TG
• Lee ST

• KMID: 2525719
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40902-021-00322-6

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on oral and maxillofacial fracture in Daegu by comparing the demographic data in 2019 and 2020, retrospectively. We collected data from all patients having trauma who visited the emergency room for oral and maxillofacial fractures.
Methods
This retrospective study was based on chart review of patients who visited the emergency department of Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu, South Korea from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020. We conducted a comparative study for patients who presented with maxillofacial fractures with occlusal instability during pre-COVID-19 era (2019) and COVID-19 era (2000) with demographics and pattern of injuries.
Results
After the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of monthly oral and maxillofacial fractures, especially sportsrelated oral and maxillofacial fractures, decreased significantly. Also, the number of alcohol-related fractures increased significantly. In addition, as the number of monthly confirmed cases of COVID-19 increases, the incidence of fracture among these cases tends to decrease.
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the daily life in Korea. Identifying the characteristics of patients having trauma can provide a good lead to understand this long-lasting infectious disease and prepare for future outbreaks.

Keyword

COVID-19; Corona; Pandemic; Oral and maxillofacial fracture; Facial fracture