Does a "hub and spoke" maxillofacial trauma service affect management decisions?
OBJECTIVE
Using mandibular fractures (excluding those of the condyle) as a model, to find out how management is influenced by whether patients present at the "hub" or "spoke" of a maxillofacial trauma service.


METHODS
Data on non-condylar mandibular fractures from a maxillofacial trauma database over a 5-year period.


RESULTS
Significantly more non-condylar mandibular fractures were treated conservatively in patients who presented at the peripheral spoke hospitals than in those who presented at the hub hospital, despite the populations being similar.


CONCLUSIONS
Geographical presentation of a patient with a non-condylar mandibular fracture in a hub and spoke maxillofacial trauma service influences management decisions.
Layton
S A
SA
United Lincolnshire Hospitals, County Hospital, Lincoln, UK. stephen.layton@ulh.nhs.uk
Badlani
J
J
D019992:Databases as Topic; D003657:Decision Making; D004739:England; D006766:Hospitals, County / Q000458:organization & administration; D006781:Hospitals, Satellite / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013218:State Dentistry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom