Dentistry

Abstract

Maxillofacial Fractures in Owo, South Western Nigeria. A 4 Year Retrospective Review of Pattern and Treatment Outcome

Ogundipe OK, Afolabi AO and Adebayo O

Aims and objectives: Earlier reports have shown that maxillofacial fractures have a geographic and sociodemographic pattern. The aim of this paper is to document the pattern of maxillofacial fractures and evaluate the treatment outcome for such injuries in Owo, a suburban community in South Western Nigeria.

Materials and methods: Medical records of patients who sustained maxillofacial fractures and were treated between January 2007 and December 2010 at the Dental Services Department of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data and clinical information were recorded and analyzed using SPSS.

Results: Seventy-nine patients representing 12.3% (79/644) of all trauma related admissions in the hospital and 1.3% (9/6226) of all attendees at the dental clinic for the period under review were seen by the maxillofacial Unit (yearly total =19.8) . Patients’ ages range from 2 to 75 years (mean 32.9 +/- 13.3 years). Male to female ratio was 12.2:1. The majority of the facial fractures were due to motorcycle accident and Inter-Maxillary Fixation (IMF) was the commonest treatment modality. Post-operative complications were recorded in 11 patients (17.7%).

Conclusion: Young males on motorcycle are more at risk and should be targeted for education on preventive measures. Relevant legislations should be enacted and enforced to curb motorcycle accidents.