Comprehensive facial injury (CFI) score as a predictor of surgical time, length of hospital stay, and head injury? Our experience at level I trauma center

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate the statistical significance of comprehensive facial injury (CFI) score concerning total surgical time (ST), length of hospital stay (LHS), and head injury in maxillofacial trauma patients. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 288 patients having maxillofacial injuries with or without associated head injury. CFI score was calculated for each of them. One-way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis H-test were used to compare ST (minutes), LHS (days), and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score among the CFI score clusters. Head injury among the CFI score clusters was compared using Fisher's exact test. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Of total 288 cases (males: 83.68%, females: 16.31%, mean age: 30 ± 15.92 years), road traffic accidents accounted for 76.0% of admissions. A definitive approach (open reduction and internal fixation) was used in 26.38% of cases. Statistically significant association of CFI score was obtained with ST and LHS in high-dependency unit (P < 0.001). Posttraumatic head injury was seen in 21.25% of cases. A significant association of CFI score with GCS score (P = 0.032) and with head injury (P = 0.019) was found. CONCLUSION: CFI score is a comprehensive yet simple scale to assess ST and LHS. A strong correlation established between CFI score and these variables further validate its reliability as a perfect tool for communication of the maxillofacial morbidity and in making a treatment protocol, although its predictive ability for associated head injuries needs to be studied further.