How Much Weight Loss Can Be Expected after Treating Mandibular Fractures?

Publication date: Available online 15 November 2018

Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Author(s): Brian J. Christensen, Andrew G. Chapple, Brett J. King

Abstarct

PURPOSE

Surgeons treating facial trauma are faced with a dilemma: fracture healing requires tremendous energy expenditure yet the treatments for mandibular fractures commonly include dietary limitations. Despite this, there are almost no studies attempting to quantify the effect of fracture treatments on patient weight. The purpose of the study was to quantify the effect mandibular fractures and their treatment have on a patient's weight and to identify risk factors associated with increased change.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was designed. The patients were considered eligible for inclusion if they sustained a mandible fracture and had at least one follow-up visit within 4 weeks after the fracture from 8/1/2012 to 4/30/2015. The study variables were time since presentation, age, gender, open versus closed treatment, and TICU stay. The outcome variable of interest was the percent weight change from baseline. A linear mixed model was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

There were 439 patients that met the inclusion criteria during the study period. In the final linear mixed model, TICU stay had a significant effect whereas open versus closed treatment did not have a significant effect. The final model predicts a peak weight loss of 4.9% of the initial body weight by day 49. For patients admitted to the TICU, the peak weight loss was 8.8%.

CONCLUSION

During the course of treatment for mandibular fractures, patients lost an average of almost five percent of their body weight. Closed reduction was not associated with an increased change in weight; however, a stay in the TICU was associated with an increase in the weight loss. Further studies will be directed at correlating declining weight with outcomes.

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