Changing pattern of maxillofacial fractures in a sub-urban nigerian teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVES To ascertain the current pattern of facial fractures presenting in the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) and compare this with two earlier reports from the same institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients presenting with facial bone fractures at the OAUTH between January 1996 and December 2004 were included in the study. Information obtained were patients' demographics, date, cause, site and type of injury. The interval before presentation in the hospital was documented. Data was analysed and compared with two earlier studies carried out in the same institution. RESULTS 451 patients (351 males and 100 females) presented with 632 facial bone fractures between January 1996 and December 2004. This shows a greater female involvement compared with earlier studies. Similar to earlier studies, majority of the patients (39.7%) were aged 21-30 years however, more cases occurred in the first decade of life in the present study than in the previous. Road traffic crashes remained the leading cause of fractures (74.7%), followed by fight/assaults (8.0%). There was a significantly higher prevalence of motorcycle related crashes and gunshot injuries. While the incidence of mandibular fractures declined, a statistically significant increase was observed for fractures of the middle face specifically Le Fort 1 and zygomatic complex fractures. CONCLUSIONS Facial bone fractures appear to be on the increase in the studied location. More females and younger children are involved now. Road traffic crashes accounted for most facial bone fractures but violence related causes are on the increase.