Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Nasal Fractures

Abstract

Objectives Nasal bone fracture is a frequent entity consulted to the otolaryngologists, approximately accounting for 39% of all facial bone fractures. The most frequent mechanisms of injury consist of assault, sport-related injuries, falls, and motor vehicle accidents. In this study, we examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric nasal fractures. Methods Children with nasal fracture who applied to Malatya Training and Research Hospital during the year before the first case and the following year were included in this study. Data of 172 patients for the pre-pandemic period and 79 patients for pandemic were available and included in the study. Demographic information, clinical features, nasal fracture etiology, nasal fracture type, type and time of intervention, and other accompanying pathologies were recorded. Results While falls was the leading cause of fracture etiology before the pandemic (64 patients [37.21%]), assault seems to be the leading cause during the pandemic period (27 children [34.18%]). In the pre-pandemic period, the intervention for patients with nasal fractures was performed on an average of 5 days, while this period was calculated as an average of 6 days during the pandemic period. When the 2 groups are compared in terms of nasal fracture intervention time, it was seen that the intervention time was statistically significantly later in the pandemic period ( P < .001). According to the results of the analysis, the most cases in the pandemic period were seen in the fourth month, which indicated a-month period between 11 June and 11 July. Conclusions In conclusion, our number of nasal fracture cases was decreased during the pandemic period compared to the 1-year period before the pandemic. We observed the most common type IIA nasal fracture. We gave outpatient treatment to most of the patients. Our most common cause of fracture was assault. We intervened in our cases in an average of 6 days and preferred closed reduction most frequently. We could not find any study on the same subject in the literature, and we aimed to contribute to the literature with this study.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the dynamic of patients with oral and maxillofacial trauma: interrupted time-series analysis

“…Nasal bone fractures can result from various causes, including traffic accidents, falls, sports, and violence. A study in Turkey reported a decrease in the number of nasal bone fracture cases during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the previous year 20 . This aligns with the simple comparison performed in our study, which also indicated an increased percentage during the pandemic, but a decline in dynamics over time.…”

Evaluation of Pediatric Facial Fracture Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…It may have influenced the presentation and management of facial fractures, likely secondary to the risk of respiratory viral transmission to providers, patients, and staff. [3][4][5][6][7] Much of the literature available on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of facial fracture injuries is based on patterns seen in adults. In 2020, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of facial fractures in adults 7 and the mechanisms of injury were less likely to be related to assault, sports, and motor vehicle accidents but more likely to be related to alcohol and interpersonal violence.…”

“…4,6,7 A study of pediatric nasal bone fractures revealed that the pandemic resulted in decreased incidence and significant delays in care compared to 1 year pre-pandemic. 5 This study aims to characterize the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence, presentation, and management of pediatric facial fractures at a large level I trauma center.…”

“…It may have influenced the presentation and management of facial fractures, likely secondary to the risk of respiratory viral transmission to providers, patients, and staff. 3 -7…”