A Retrospective Analysis of Maxillofacial Injuries in Patients Reported at Emergency Department at Dhiraj Hospital

Background and Aim: Maxillofacial traumas are injuries that affect facial structures and have vital consequences, functional or aesthetic, producing emotional distress, disability or long term deformity.The aim of study was to identify the incidence profile and etiological factors associated with oral and maxillofacial trauma reported at a referral emergency Dhiraj Hospital center. Materials and Methods: All the trauma patients who attended the Emergency Department of Dhiraj Hospital during the period of January 2012 to December 2012 were included in the sample of study. Data was gathered from the clinical and radiographic features of the patient from the record section at Dhiraj Hospital. Patients were scrutinized according to pattern and demographic distribution of fractures of maxillofacial skeleton, incidence, prevalence, age (1 to 60 years) and sex distribution, seasonal variations and aetiology of maxillofacial trauma. The data was statistically analyzed after thorough preliminary inspection and content analysis. Results: Peak incidence of injuries occurred between age group 20-30 years and after 60 year, while, maximum facial injuries occur between age group 20-30 years. Road traffic accidents were most common and had seasonal variation. Males were more prone to facial injuries then females. Mandibular fractures were most common. Soft tissues were very common and maxillofacial fractures, when present were most frequently present in mandible and then zygomaticomaxillary fractures. Conclusion: The changing trend of etiology of maxillofacial injuries necessitates strict legislation against violence and education in alcohol abuse. Periodic review rules and stricter implementation of traffic rules is must to minimize physical, psychological and emotional distress associated in maxillofacial trauma.