The impact of alcohol on fall-related maxillofacial fractures: a retrospective study

The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the characteristics of patients sustaining maxillofacial fractures due to falls at ground level. The specific aims were to analyse the severity of the fractures and the time interval between the accident and diagnosis (delay of diagnosis) in alcohol-intoxicated vs non-intoxicated patients. A total of 1200 consecutive adult patients diagnosed with maxillofacial fractures at a tertiary trauma centre over a 7-year period were included. Outcome variables were the delay of diagnosis and severity of the fracture; the latter was determined based on a facial injury severity score (FISS). The primary predictor variable was alcohol intoxication at the time of injury (yes/no). Overall, 360 patients (30%) were identified as being intoxicated by alcohol at the time of the injury. In the adjusted model, no association was found between alcohol intoxication and the severity of the maxillofacial fractures. However, the adjusted model showed that non-intoxicated patients had 2.0 times greater odds of a delay of diagnosis ≥3 days (95% confidence interval 1.3-3.0 , P < 0.001). The high occurrence of alcohol intoxication in facial trauma patients in general emphasizes the importance of screening patients for alcohol use and intervening when appropriate.