Underreporting of Facial Bone Fractures in the Scientific Literature

Abstract

Facial bone fractures constitute a significant portion of traumatic injuries encountered by healthcare professionals worldwide, often leading to substantial morbidity, healthcare expenditure, and complex patient management issues. Despite their frequency and clinical importance, there is a pervasive and systematic underreporting of these injuries in the scientific literature. This underreporting obscures the true epidemiology and hinders optimal clinical care, resource allocation, and the development of effective preventive strategies. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the extent, characteristics, and implications of underreporting facial bone fractures across various medical specialties and geographic regions. Through comprehensive analysis of published literature from 2000 to 2024, we identified notable discrepancies between reported and actual incidences of facial fractures, particularly among orbital and mandibular fractures, which showed approximately 20–25% underreporting rates. Furthermore, significant differences emerged among journal specialties, with Emergency Medicine and General Surgery demonstrating notably higher rates of underreporting compared to Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology. Geographic analysis highlighted a distinct pattern of increased underreporting in lower-income countries, likely related to resource limitations and diagnostic challenges. Our findings underscore the urgent need for standardized reporting practices and improved awareness and training among healthcare professionals globally to ensure accurate documentation and ultimately enhance patient outcomes and healthcare resource management.