The aim of the present study was to assess the etiology and pattern of maxillofacial fractures in the Province of Pescara, Abruzzo, Central Italy. Was performed a retrospective review of patients treated at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of Spirito Santo Hospital from January 2010 to December 2012. Data collected and analyzed included sex, age, cause of injury, site of fracture, monthly distribution, and alcohol misuse. A total of 306 patients sustaining 401 maxillofacial fractures were treated. There were 173 males (56.5%) and 133 females (43.5%). Most of the patients (36.9%) were in the age group of 18–44 years. The most common causes of injuries were road traffic accidents (26.4%); the second leading cause was interpersonal violence (23.2%), followed by injuries associated with falls (19.2%). Fractures of the mandible (31%) and zygoma (23%) were the most common maxillofacial fractures in our study. The monthly distribution peaked in the summer (July and August, 30.4%) and in October (13.1%). In conclusion, this study confirms the close correlation between the incidence and etiology of facial fractures and the geographical, cultural, and socioeconomic features of a population. The data obtained provide important information for the design of future plans for injury prevention and for education of citizens.

The osteointegration phase of BAHA® fixture was assessed via electrical impedance spectroscopy in BAHA® implantees. Measurements were carried out by using a prototype device and were correlated with previously published histological data obtained at certain times after surgery, i.e. 1–2 days, 1 week, 1 and 3 months. Module variations of impedance spectra were found to be in agreement with the different pathophysiological conditions of bone ingrowth. The proposed methodology has shown to be promisingly reliable to properly monitor BAHA fixture osteointegration.

PTA values increased on average by 7.1 dB (95% CI = 2.7-11.5; p = 0.003) during the time period from the beginning of the treatment to the end of the follow-up. Q scores decreased on average by 20.6 (95% CI = 8.8-32.4; p < 0.001) during the pre- and post-Meniett® time-span. These two outcomes appeared not to influence each other.

Learning Objectives: Learning objectives: In this study there was no association between fistula size on CT-scan and hearing level before cholesteatoma surgery. The type of fistulae found intraoperatively did not correspond to postoperative hearing. Introduction:To compare audiological results before and after surgery in subjects suffering from horizontal semicircular canal (HSC) fistulae due to cholesteatoma. To assess whether there was any relationship between 1) fistulae size according to preoperative CT-scan and pre-operative boneconduction hearing, and 2) type of fistulae found during surgery and post-operative bone-conduction hearing.Methods: Retrospective evaluation including 21adults suffering from cholesteatoma with preoperative CT-scan images. Intervention: open mastoidectomy with identification of HSC fistulae. Outcomes: to compare bone conduction thresholds before and after surgery and, to assess for correlation between 1) fistulae size on preoperative CT scan and preoperative bone conduction hearing loss, and 2) type of fistulae identified during surgery and postoperative bone conduction hearing loss. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee on Clinical Research of our institution.Results: After surgery we detected a decline in bone conduction thresholds. We could not establish correlation between fistulae size on CT-scan and bone conduction hearing in the preoperative setting. Similarly, there was no correlation between fistulae type found during surgery and postoperative bone conduction hearing. Conclusions:In this series of subjects presenting with HSC fistulae due to cholesteatoma, we verified an increase in hearing loss after surgery. Correlation between fistula size on CT-scan and hearing level pior to surgery was not established. There was no correlation between the type of fistulae found during surgery and postoperative bone conduction hearing.

No abstract