THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF A COMPUTERIZED DATABASE FOR THE EVALUATIONOF FACIAL FRACTURES INCORPORATING ASPECTS OF THE AAOMS PARAMETERS OF CARE

Purpose: This article discusses the development and use of a computeri zed database to evaluate facial fracture patients. Examples of epidemi ologic and treatment outcome analyses that can be performed are also d iscussed. Materials and Methods: FileMaker Pro 2.1 and 3.0 (Claris Cor poration, Santa Clara, CA) for the Macintosh (Apple Computer, Inc, Cup ertino, CA) was used for the development of the database. The database contained information on the facial fracture patients treated at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center by the Oral and Maxillof acial Surgery service between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1996. E ight evaluation forms were used: general information, and mandibular, maxillary, zygomatic, nasal, naso-orbital-ethmoid, orbital, and fronta l sinus fractures. Indications for therapy and postoperative complicat ions from the AAOMS Parameters of Care, Section on Trauma Surgery, wer e also included. Results: This database allowed collection of a vast a mount of data on 265 patients. Some of the analyses done on patients w ith mandibular fractures are described. Conclusion: This computerized database provides a quick and systematic method of obtaining and retri eving information on facial fracture patients. Numerous epidemiologic and treatment outcome analyses can be performed. Overall complication rates based on the AAOMS Parameters of Care are higher than previously published rates because of the longer list of complications being eva luated.