(A128) Impact of Gender on Outcomes in Craniomaxillofacial Trauma Patients in Puerto Rico: A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction: Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) trauma presents significant challenges in healthcare due to its complex nature and the critical regions affected. This study aims to evaluate the influence of gender on acute trauma scores, hospital stay duration, and mortality rates among patients with CMF trauma in Puerto Rico. We hypothesize that differences in outcomes exist by genders.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from electronic medical records of patients treated for CMF trauma at the only trauma center in Puerto Rico between October 2018 and January 2022. The study included all patients, regardless of age, gender, or injury severity. Data collected consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, Revised Trauma Scores (RTS), length of hospital stay, and outcome defined as survival or non-survival. Injuries were classified by anatomical location and stratified by gender. Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages. The Pearson Chi-Square and t-test were used to assess gender differences. Statistical significance was set at p< 0.05.

Results: Our sample was composed of 960 males and 201 females (N = 1161). Males exhibited a significantly higher mortality rate (12.7%) compared to females (6.5%) (p=0.012). Motor vehicle accidents not related to cars were the most common etiology of trauma in males (24.1%; p< 0.001), and car accidents in females (42.3%; p=0.018). Injury to the middle face, which includes the maxilla, nose, zygomatic and orbit bone, had the highest prevalence in both genders (males 61.5%; females 54.7%; p< 0.05). GCS and RTS were lower for male patients (GCS: t = -2.840, p = 0.005; RTS: t = -2.015, p = 0.044), indicating worse neurological status and more severe trauma.

Conclusions: These findings suggest the need for gender-specific measures that target trauma prevention and treatment protocols in CMF trauma care. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to explore the effects of gender on trauma recovery and the underlying factors contributing to disparities.