Outcomes in Frontal Sinus Fracture Repair: A Comparative Analysis Between Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology (ENT).

Authors

• Lasya P. Marla, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Medical Student
• Caroline E Baker
• Macy E. Mitchell, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Medical Student
• Samuel Girian, Corewell Health West Resident
• John A. Girotto, Corewell Health West
• Anna R. Carlson, Corewell Health West

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2026

Publication Title

Craniomaxillofacial Trauma & Reconstruction

Abstract

This study conducts a comparative analysis of surgical outcomes in patients who underwent FSF repair by a plastic surgeon versus an ENT using a national database. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent surgical treatment of FSFs by a plastic or ENT surgeon using the de-identified American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database. Patients were identified based on surgical CPT codes. Data extracted included primary surgeon specialty and patient demographics, comorbidities, and surgical outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's Exact test and the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test, with a p-value < 0.05 representing statistical significance. A total of 111 patients were analyzed, of which 85.6% were male. The mean age was 30.0 years [22.0, 48.0]. There were 70 patients (63.1%) treated by an ENT and 41 (36.9%) by a plastic surgeon. The median operative time was 131.0 min for ENT and 115.0 min for plastic surgery (p = 0.19). The median length of postoperative stay was 1.0 day for both groups. Postoperative complications included surgical site infection (SSI), wound disruption, and sepsis in five patients (4.5%). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of complications between patients who underwent surgery with an ENT surgeon versus a plastic surgeon (p = 0.16). There were no statistically significant differences in operative time, length of stay, or complications between patients who underwent FSF repair by an ENT or by a plastic surgeon. Surgeon specialty training does not appear to influence intraoperative or postoperative outcomes. Studies with larger sample sizes may demonstrate statistically significant differences in outcomes.

Volume

19

Issue

3

First Page

30

Last Page

30

Recommended Citation

Marla LP, Baker CE, Mitchell ME, Girian S, Girotto JA, Carlson AR. Outcomes in Frontal Sinus Fracture Repair: A comparative analysis between plastic surgery and otolaryngology (ENT). Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2026;19(3). doi: 10.3390/cmtr19030030. PMID: 42496260.

Comments

Helen Devos Children's Hospital

DOI

10.3390/cmtr19030030

ISSN

1943-3875

PubMed ID

42496260