Retrospective evaluation of canine and feline maxillomandibular trauma cases

B. L. Mulherin; C. J. Snyder; J. W. Soukup; S. Hetzel

doi:10.3415/VCOT-13-06-0075

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2014; 27(03): 198-203
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-13-06-0075

Original Research

Schattauer GmbH

Retrospective evaluation of canine and feline maxillomandibular trauma cases

Comparison of lunar cycle and seasonality with non-maxillomandibular traumatic injuries (2003–2012)

Authors

B. L. Mulherin

¹Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
C. J. Snyder

¹Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
J. W. Soukup

¹Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
S. Hetzel

²Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Abstract

Summary

Objectives: To determine relationships between seasonality and lunar cycle and the frequency of maxillomandibular (MM) and non-maxillomandibular (non-MM) injury in canine and feline trauma patients.

Methods: A medical records database was searched to identify all MM trauma patients (n = 67) and a random sample of non-MM trauma patients (n = 129) according to search criteria. Season of injury, moon phase, and moon luminosity were calculated for the date of injury.

Results: Maxillomandibular injury occurred predominately in the spring and decreased through winter while non-MM injury occurred more frequently in the summer and fall. The difference in the frequency of MM and non-MM injuries during different seasons was not significant (p = 0.071). When comparing the amount of moon illuminated when injuries occurred during the quarters before or after the full moon, a difference (p = 0.007) was noted with a greater number of injuries occurring immediately following the full moon.

Clinical significance: These results may guide clinicians to closely evaluate trauma patients that are presented on emergency during a particular season or lunar phase. Based on the season at the time of injury, close evaluation for MM versus non-MM trauma may be appropriate.

Keywords

Maxillomandibular - trauma - fracture - lunar cycle - seasonality - injury

Full Text

References

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