Cannabis-related facial trauma: a 10-year review of facial trauma in Victoria, Australia.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine whether cannabis use in facial trauma influenced the cause of injury, injury severity, or management.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study was performed using records from a state-wide database of all patients who presented to a Victorian hospital with a facial fracture between 2004 and 2014. Data collected included demographics, concomitant cannabis use, mechanism of injury, facial injuries, and management. Statistical analysis was done using the chi square test, t test, binary logistic regression analysis, and multivariable linear regression analysis. Results were considered statistically significant if P < .05.

RESULTS

A total of 54,613 patient presentations for facial trauma were analyzed with 174 patients in the cannabis group, and 54,439 in the non-cannabis group. Those affected by cannabis are more likely to have their injuries be caused by motor vehicle accidents (odds ratio [OR] = 1.59, P < .05) when compared with non-cannabis users. When controlling for confounding variables, such as alcohol and other drug use, cannabis users had, on average, 0.22 more facial fractures and 0.11 more facial lacerations per presentation (P < .05). Cannabis-affected patients also required 0.11 more open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedures and 1.0 more allied health inputs in their management (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cannabis may be a potential comorbid risk factor in facial trauma that may result in an increased risk of vehicle-related injuries, more facial fractures, and a higher need for surgery and allied health inputs as part of management. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol YEAR;VOL:page range).