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. 2023 Jul;280(7):3453-3459.
doi: 10.1007/s00405-023-07966-2. Epub 2023 Apr 17.

New Year's Eve in otorhinolaryngology: a 16-year retrospective evaluation

Julia Werz  1 , Jens Greve  2 , Thomas K Hoffmann  2 , Janina Hahn  3
Affiliations

New Year's Eve in otorhinolaryngology: a 16-year retrospective evaluation

Julia Werz et al. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: Pyrotechnics are a long-standing tradition at the turn of the year. There are little data available on New Year's Eve-associated ORL injuries. Due to restrictions during the Corona pandemic, the handling of fireworks and meetings on New Year's Eve 2020-2022 had been significantly changed. Our aim was to analyze first data about New Year's Eve-associated ORL injuries.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 16 turns of the year (2006-2022) at a University ORL department was performed. The 2 recent years were influenced by the changes and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Of 343 emergency presentations, 69 presented with New Year's Eve-associated reasons (20%). 72% were male, 15.9% were underage. 74% presented for fireworks-related injuries, 19% due to violent altercations. Noise trauma was present in 71%. The average number of New Year's Eve-associated emergency patients per year and the average total number of patients were reduced by more than half under COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

Conclusions: New Year's Eve-associated ORL injuries range from inner ear trauma to midface fractures. Long-term damage may include hearing loss and tinnitus. These results shall support the responsible use of fireworks even after the end of the special regulations of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Fireworks; New Year’s Eve; Otorhinolaryngology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Causes for New Year’s Eve-associated emergency presentations from 2006 to 2022 (In total n = 69)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Clinical course of patients (n = 10), with New Year’s Eve-associated Trauma who needed surgical intervention. 2006–2022; h hours
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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