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A Retrospective Study of Facial Fractures Associated With the Amazon Region at a Trauma Center in Northern Brazil
Clarina Louis Silva Meira1, Natália Silva de Meira2, Helen Patricia da Silva Araujo3
1Post-Graduation Program of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Background/Aim:
Facial trauma is a major public health challenge due to its aesthetic, functional, psychological, and socioeconomic impacts. In Northern Brazil, particularly in the Amazon region, subsistence activities such as plant extraction, animal handling, and river transportation are essential to daily life and may contribute to an increased risk of facial injuries. These environmental and cultural factors are often underrepresented in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological profile of facial fractures associated with etiologies specific to the Amazon region.
Materials And Methods:
This was a retrospective study conducted over an 8-year period (2013-2020) at a trauma referral center in Northern Brazil. Medical records of patients with facial fractures resulting from boat accidents, animal-related incidents, plant extraction, and hunting and fishing accidents were reviewed.
Results:
A total of 97 patients met the inclusion criteria, with males accounting for 88.7% of cases and adults (20-64 years) being the most affected age group. Boat accidents were the most frequent cause of trauma (40.2%) and were associated with a higher median number of surgical fractures compared to animal-related trauma (p = 0.041) and hunting and fishing accidents (p < 0.001). The middle third of the face was most commonly affected (78%), and the mean FISS score was 4.4. The average length of hospital stay was 11 days, with a significant correlation between FISS and hospital stay (p = 0.0078). Hunting and fishing accidents were the leading cause of long-term sequelae.
Conclusion:
Facial fractures related to the Amazon region are associated with distinct occupational and environmental risks, imposing not only a burden on public health but also resulting in specific morbidities within traditional populations. Although these injuries do not necessarily reflect the characteristics of the broader population, they highlight the need for public policies tailored to the regional context.
