Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine
Background COVID-19 has affected healthcare in many ways. Currently, no studies have evaluated the effects of the pandemic on head and neck trauma. Learning Objectives Evaluate the effects of a pandemic on head and neck trauma. Study Objectives Report effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on presentations for head and neck trauma to a level 1 trauma emergency department at an academic hospital. Design type Retrospective review Methods Presentations for head and neck trauma between the dates of March 1, 2019 to February 28, 2021 were collected. The number, demographics, etiologies, and hospitalizations of these encounters were compared. Governmental policies were noted. Daily COVID-19 case data from the local health department were analyzed. Results 1807 encounters for head and neck trauma met inclusion criteria: 885 occurred during the “pre-pandemic year,” 922 in the “pandemic year.” Our analysis shows a case increase of +4.5% (n=37) in the pandemic year compared to pre-pandemic levels. Analysis showed a decreasing trend of work-related injury, and an increase in fall-related injury and motor vehicle accidents during the pandemic year compared to the previous year. There was no clear change in reported assaults. Admission rates increased early in the pandemic. Men presented more frequently than women. Conclusions Emergency department visits for head and neck trauma increased during the pandemic compared to the prior year, indicating that patients with head and neck trauma still sought care. This data shows that hospitals should expect to see normal head and neck trauma volumes in future pandemics.