National Trends in Venous Thromboembolism in the Adult Craniofacial Trauma Population

Abstract

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), specifically deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a major complication in plastic surgery; however, there is a paucity of evidence about the incidence of VTE in the craniofacial subpopulation. We investigated the incidence and risk factors for VTE in the adult craniofacial trauma population. Methods: This retrospective review identified patients from the 2016 and 2017 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample with a diagnosis for an initial encounter of a facial fracture. International Classification of Disease codes identified patients with DVT or PE. Groups were identified: adult craniofacial patients with and without a VTE diagnosis. The groups were analyzed to determine risk factors for developing a VTE during inpatient admissions. Results: A total of 203,240 patients were identified based on a diagnosis for an initial encounter of a facial fracture. Among those, 3350 (1.65%) were diagnosed with a DVT and 1455 (0.72%) with a PE. Risk factors for VTE were male sex (P = 0.011), longer hospital stay (P = 0.000), and higher Elixhauser comorbidity index (P = 0.000). Additionally, PE was an independent predictor of mortality [odds ratio (OR), 2.129] but DVT was not (OR, 1.148). Cranial and frontal fractures were independently associated with an increase in DVT (OR, 2.481) and PE (OR, 1.489). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that craniofacial trauma patients are at risk for VTE and should be risk-stratified for chemoprophylaxis therapy. Further studies in thromboembolism prophylaxis for facial fractures are warranted as the data are limited.