Impact of Transmission Control Measures on the Epidemiology of Maxillofacial Injuries in Wuhan City During the COVID-19 Epidemic

Yang, Yu-Ting; Xing, Xin; Sreekissoon, Senjeet; Li, Zhi

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) emerged in Wuhan City. The present study aimed to assess the demographic variables, causes, and patterns of maxillofacial injuries managed at a teaching hospital in Wuhan City during the transmission control measures in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. In this retrospective study, all patients treated for maxillofacial injuries in the hospital between January 23 and April 7 (2019 and 2020) were involved. Epidemiologic information, including the number of patients, gender, age, etiology, time since injury to the clinic visit, and type of maxillofacial injuries, was recorded. Data of the 2 periods (2019 and 2020) were compared and analyzed. A total of 337 patients had maxillofacial injuries at the 2-time intervals: 74 in 2020 and 263 in 2019. The characteristics of maxillofacial injuries had changes during the transmission control measures in the COVID-19 epidemic, which included the number of patients, gender, age, etiology, time since injury to the clinic visit, and type of maxillofacial injuries. The transmission control measures during the COVID-19 epidemic had a significant impact on the epidemiology of maxillofacial injuries in Wuhan City.