Risk Factors for Missed Follow-up Appointments among Facial Trauma Patients

Aaron L. Zebolsky; Nina Gallo; Travis Clarke; Jeffery A. May; Raj D. Dedhia; Anas Eid

doi:10.1055/a-2325-5425

Facial Plastic Surgery, Table of Contents

Facial Plast Surg 2025; 41(03): 319-326
DOI: 10.1055/a-2325-5425

Original Research

Risk Factors for Missed Follow-up Appointments among Facial Trauma Patients

Aaron L. Zebolsky

¹Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee

,

Nina Gallo

¹Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee

,

Travis Clarke

¹Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee

,

Jeffery A. May

¹Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee

,

Raj D. Dedhia

²Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee

,

Anas Eid

²Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

A retrospective case–control study was performed to characterize the rate of missed follow-up appointments after facial trauma and identify associated risk factors.

Follow-up appointments for facial trauma over a 3-month period at a single, safety net hospital were analyzed. Appointment-specific, sociodemographic, trauma, and management data were compared between cases (missed appointments) and controls (attended appointments). Univariate testing and multivariable logistic regression were employed.

A total of 116 cases and 259 controls were identified, yielding a missed appointment rate of 30.9% (116/375). Missed appointments were significantly associated with initial clinic appointments compared to return visits (odds ratio [OR] 2.21 [1.38–3.54]), afternoon visits compared to morning (OR 3.14 [1.94–5.07]), lack of private health insurance (OR 2.91 [1.68–5.18]), and presence of midface fractures (OR 2.04 [1.28–3.27]). Missed appointments were negatively associated with mandible fractures (OR 0.56 [0.35–0.89]), surgical management (OR 0.48 [0.30–0.77]), and the presence of nonremovable hardware (OR 0.39 [0.23–0.64]). Upon multivariable logistic regression, missed appointments remained independently associated with afternoon visits (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.95 [1.12–3.4]), lack of private health insurance (aOR 2.73 [1.55–4.8]), and midface fractures (aOR 2.09 [1.21–3.59]).

Nearly one-third of facial trauma patients missed follow-up appointments, with the greatest risk among those with afternoon appointments, lacking private health insurance, and with midface fractures.

Keywords

facial trauma - maxillofacial injuries - mandibular injuries - lost to follow-up - patient compliance

Full Text

References

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