Incidencia de consultas por fracturas maxilofaciales en un servicio de urgencias odontológicas del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires / Incidence of consultations for maxillofacial fractures in a dental emergency department in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires

Objetivo: Describir la incidencia, la causa, el patrón y el tratamiento de fracturas maxilofaciales en sujetos que solici- taron atención en un Servicio de Urgencias Odontológicas del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. Materiales y métodos: Se analizaron las historias clíni- cas de los individuos que concurrieron al Servicio de Urgencias y Orientación de Pacientes de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (SUyOP) en el período compren- dido entre marzo de 2018 y diciembre de 2019. Se registró la fre- cuencia de consultas vinculadas con diagnóstico de algún tipo de fractura del esqueleto maxilofacial y en el caso de estos pacien- tes, se registraron sexo, edad, etiología, ubicación y tratamiento. Resultados: Durante el periodo evaluado asistieron al SUyOP un total de 13.919 pacientes por algún tipo de urgen- cia odontológica, entre los cuales 47 (0,33%) se presentaron con traumatismos en la región bucomaxilofacial; 39 fueron del sexo masculino (83%). En total fueron diagnosticadas 66 frac- turas. La edad media se extendió entre los 30 y los 51 años. Las fracturas se encontraron con mayor frecuencia en la mandíbu- la (95,45%). La agresión interpersonal fue la principal causa (53,19%). El tratamiento realizado con mayor frecuencia fue el bloqueo intermaxilar en el 57,44% de los pacientes. Conclusión: Las fracturas de maxilar inferior fueron las que se registraron con mayor frecuencia. Si bien estas fracturas no ponen en riesgo la vida del paciente, la falla en el diagnóstico y el tratamiento apropiados puede derivar en la pérdida de fun- ciones del sistema estomatognático, y desarrollar deformidades secundarias que requieren de un tratamiento más complejo (AU)

Aim: To describe the incidence, etiology, pattern and treat- ment of maxillofacial fractures in a dental emergency department of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area. Materials and methods: A study was conducted, re- cording sex, age, etiology, location and treatment of maxillofa- cial fractures in patients who visited the Emergency and Patient Orientation Service of the School of Dentistry of the University of Buenos Aires (SUyOP) from March 2018 to December 2019. Data were obtained from dental medical records. Results: During the evaluated period, a total 13,919 pa- tients visited the SUyOP for dental emergencies, of whom 47 (0.33%) presented with trauma in the oral-maxillofacial region, and 39 were male (83%). Age range was 30 to 51 years. Over- all, 66 fractures were diagnosed. Fractures were most frequent in the mandible (95.45%). Interpersonal aggression was the most prevalent cause (53.19%). The most frequent treatment was inter- maxillary fixation, which was performed in 57.44% of the cases. Conclusion: Fractures of the lower jaw were the most fre- quently reported. Although these fractures are not life-threaten- ing, failure to diagnose and treat them properly can lead to loss of function of the stomatognathic system and development of sec- ondary deformities requiring more complex treatment (AU)

Fixação funcionalmente estável no tratamento de sequela de fratura cominutiva de mandíbula por PAF / Functionally stable fixation in the treatment of comminuted jaw fracture by firearm projectile

Introdução: em traumas de alta energia por projéteis de arma de fogo (PAF), pode ocorrer a cominuição da mandíbula. Quando não identificadas ou tratadas de maneira equivocada, essas injúrias podem comprometer a saúde do indivíduo, com graves complicações estéticas e funcionais. Objetivo: o objetivo deste trabalho é relatar um caso de tratamento cirúrgico de sequela de ferimento por arma de fogo com fratura cominutiva em região de sínfise mandibular. Relato do caso: paciente procurou o serviço de cirurgia e traumatologia bucomaxilofacial após tratamento cirúrgico insatisfatório de fratura mandibular por PAF. Observou-se clinicamente mobilidade em manipulação, exposição óssea e drenagem purulenta. Na tomografia, observou-se gap ósseo, descontinuidade na base mandibular e material de osteossíntese inadequado. Foi proposta uma abordagem cirúrgica para instalação de placa de reconstrução do sistema 2.4 mm. Em acompanhamento pós-operatório, o paciente evoluiu com abertura bucal funcional e satisfatória, sem mobilidade nos fragmentos ósseos, arcabouço mandibular restabelecido e adequado posicionamento do material de fixação. Considerações finais: os casos de cominuição óssea apresentam características individuais que devem ser levadas em consideração em seu manejo. Nesses casos, a escolha do material de fixação é fundamental para o sucesso terapêutico e o uso de prototipagem soma para uma condução satisfatória do caso, garantindo menor tempo cirúrgico e melhor adaptação da placa. (AU)

Introduction: in high energy traumas caused by firearm projectiles may occur comminutive mandibular fractures. When it is not identified or inappropriately treated, these injuries can compromisse the individual's health, with serious aesthetics and funcional complications. Objective: the aim of this study is report a case of surgical treatment of sequelae from firearm injury with comminutive fracture in the region of mandibular symphysis. Case report: patient sought the service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology after 1 month of unsatisfactory surgical treatment of a mandibular fracture caused by firearm projectile. Clinical examination revealed mobility to manipulation and bone exposure with purulent drainage. Computed tomography of the face shows bad fracture consolidation in the anterior region of the mandible with bone gap and discontinuity in the mandibular base and inadequate and poorly positioned osteosynthesis material. It was then proposed a new surgical approach with instalation of the reconstruction plate of 2.4mm locking system. In postoperative follow-up, the patient evolved with a functional and satisfactory mouth opening, with no mobility in bone fragments, restored mandibular framework and adequate positioning of the fixation material. Final considerations: the cases of comminutive bone fractures show particular features that should be considered in their handling. In these cases, the choice of the fixation material is critical to therapeutic success and the use of prototyping sum for a satisfactory conduction of the case, ensuring shorter surgical time and better adaptation of the plate.(AU)

Stress distribution in mandibular donor site after harvesting bone grafts of various sizes from the ascending ramus of a dentate mandible by finite element analysis.

PURPOSE: Harvesting bone from the ascending ramus of the mandible is a common procedure. However, mandibular fracture may occur after grafting bone blocks. This study aimed to investigate the resulting force distribution of stress and strain in the mandibular donor site after harvesting bone grafts of different sizes and various loadings. METHODS: Finite element analysis was performed for virtual harvesting of bone blocks of nine different sizes between 15 × 20 and 25 × 30 mm and three different chewing loads (incisal, ipsilateral and contralateral). von Mises stress and first principal stress distributions were measured. RESULTS: von Mises stress was distributed between 35.01 (10 × 15 mm graft, incisal load) and 333.25 MPa (30 × 20 mm graft ipsilateral load), whereas first principal stress distributions were between 48.27 (10 × 15 mm graft, incisal load) and 414.69 MPa (30 × 20 mm graft ipsilateral load). In general, the least stress was observed with incisal load followed by ipsilateral load and finally contralateral load. The critical value of 133 MPa was found after removing almost all grafts with a width of 20 or 30 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Incisal loading led to less stress compared with contralateral and ipsilateral loads. Increasing graft size led to increasing weakness of the donor site. Graft width exerted a greater influence on stress development than its height. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ipsilateral chewing and increasing width of the bone graft result in maximum stress in the mandibular donor side, and critical values regarding to the possibility of fractures are already to expect from a graft size of 20 × 15 mm.

Clinical Outcome Of Dental Implant Therapy In Association With Le Fort I Osteotomy Preprosthetic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the outcome of dental implant treatment in fully edentulous patients who underwent Le Fort I osteotomy as a preprosthetic surgical technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search was conducted of the PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases to identify records published from 1995 to 2017 dealing with Le Fort I osteotomy procedures for implant placement purposes. The primary outcomes of interest were the survival and success rates. The secondary outcomes consisted of the analysis of intra- and postsurgical complications and the surgical and prosthetic loading protocols. RESULTS: Overall, 20 articles were selected for data analysis. A total of 483 patients accounting for 3,596 implants were analyzed. The cumulative survival rate was 90.22% ± 0.8% at 10 years (mean: 59.20 ± 32.31 months). The cumulative success rate was 89.07% ± 1.3% at 10 years (mean: 62.82 ± 25 months). Higher survival rates were found for implants with a rough surface (P < .001) and for implants loaded with a delayed protocol (P < .001). The fracture of the palatine bone during the downfracture procedure was the main intrasurgical drawback, while sinus pathology and graft resorption were commonly observed during the postoperative healing. Surgical and prosthetic loading protocols were heterogenous. CONCLUSION: Based on this review, Le Fort I osteotomy might be considered a viable technique to recreate favorable conditions for implant-supported rehabilitations. Caution has to be taken when using machined implants, particularly in the case of a simultaneous approach.

Open reduction and internal fixation of palatal fractures using three-dimensional plates.

The maxilla is arguably the most anatomically intricate structure of the craniofacial skeleton, and the hard palate is an important bone that regulates the width and architecture of the face. The management of palatal fractures has long been a matter of debate, and varies with anatomical pattern and other injuries to the craniofacial skeleton. We have studied 18 palatal fractures during a five-year period that were treated using 3-dimensional rectangular plates placed across the palatal vault together with fixation of other fractures of the facial bones. Healing was satisfactory in all patients by 12weeks, with no complications. We think that open reduction and internal fixation of palatal fractures with 3-dimensional plates offers adequate stability with minimal complications.

Analysis of dental injuries with clinical implications: A forensic case report.

Dental injuries, especially of the incisors, caused by punches in violent criminal attacks could be seen in daily forensic casework involving the identification of injuries to a living body. Sometimes, when there is neither circumstantial evidence nor information about the surrounding circumstances, it is difficult to discern the cause of these injuries and the manner in which they were inflicted. As an example of clinical forensic medicine, we present the case of a 58-year-old woman whose teeth were injured when fighting with her son-in-law over household affairs with no witnesses present. The two parties had conflicting stories about the cause of the woman's injury. The woman claimed that her teeth were lost while she was being beaten by her son-in-law, and the man argued that the damage to his mother-in-law's teeth was self-inflicted when she bit his fingers. The police attending the crime called for a forensic examination. Forensic practitioners analysed the mechanism of the tooth loss using multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) and imaging reconstruction technology. Local alveolar bone (medial alveolar) fracture and a small area of alveolar bone loss were found on MSCT. Thus, forensic medical experts speculated that the woman's lower central and lateral incisors were lost as a result of a violent attack and were not self-inflicted. Finally, forensic practitioners helped police in avoiding a miscarriage of justice and wrongful conviction.

Traumatic dental injury.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the incidence of traumatic dental injury and consequential dental impairment following road traffic accidents and to examine the factors that can affect the monetary value of compensation for bodily injury payable pursuant to current insurance regulations. METHODS: From 2004 to 2014, 7233 persons involved in road traffic accidents in the province of Messina, eastern Sicily, were examined by insurance physicians to assess bodily injury damage. Data were collected from cases of traumatic dental injury causing malocclusion and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, either alone or concomitant with injuries to other parts of the body. Injury characteristics and consequential bodily injury damage were classified and the incidence calculated using Microsoft Excel software. RESULTS: The incidence of traumatic dental injuries was 3% of the total population (195 subjects - 127 males and 68 females); the majority of cases (56%) involved riders of two-wheeled vehicles. A high percentage of riders received injury to one or more teeth, i.e. fractures and dislocations, more frequently to the anterior teeth (68%) than the posterior teeth because of their position in the dental arch. Temporomandibular joint injuries were far fewer (8%) and resulted from either direct or indirect trauma associated with severe head and/or neck injury. The incidence of permanent bodily damage consequential to these injuries was fairly low. CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of dental trauma following road traffic accidents is low, the monetary compensation for consequential dental impairment based on current insurance regulatory law is far from negligible.

Alveolar process fractures in the permanent dentition. Part 1. Etiology and clinical characteristics. A retrospective analysis of 299 cases involving 815 teeth.

AIM: To describe the etiology and clinical characteristics of alveolar process fractures treated in a regional trauma clinic. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study is a retrospective descriptive analysis of 299 patients (180 males, 119 females; 815 permanent teeth) diagnosed with fractures of the alveolar process. RESULTS: Violence was the overall most frequent cause of injury in men (44%), whereas the three most common causes of this type of injury in women were violence (33%), falls (32%), or traffic injuries (26%). Fracture of the alveolar process occurred most frequently in the maxilla (74%) and less frequently in the mandible (26%). The majority of the fractures involved only two teeth (57%) but occasionally involved up to seven teeth. The age at fracture ranged from 5 to 90 years; alveolar process fractures occurred most frequently between 15 and 25 years of age (43%). Concomitant soft tissue injuries were present in 73%. The most frequent location of the mandibular fracture line was along the periodontal ligament of the canine and in the sagittal suture between the two central maxillary incisors. This pattern appears to correlate with weak zones in the jaws. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, alveolar process fractures are rare. They occur most frequently in young males and are often associated with violence. Concomitant soft tissue injuries are frequent. This type of injury accordingly appears to result from a frontal impact transmitted through a soft tissue shield (the lips) where the zone of least resistance gives in, namely the periodontal ligament and areas where the alveolar bone is thin.

Mandibular ridge expansion using a horizontal bone-splitting technique and synthetic bone substitute: an alternative to bone block grafting?

PURPOSE: Inadequate bone width in atrophic edentulous jaws is a challenge for successful oral rehabilitation with endosseous dental implants. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new method for ridge expansion with sagittal splitting using a new surgical device (Crest-Control Bone Splitting System, Meisinger) and to determine whether it is necessary to fill the expansion area with bone substitute to maintain the expanded bone volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 3-year period, a prospective study was performed in 32 patients (59% women, 41% men). All participants needed implants in the horizontally atrophied edentulous mandible and were treated in a private practice and a hospital. The only inclusion criteria were a mandibular ridge width between 3 and 4 mm and ridge height of at least 11 mm. Expansion with horizontal splitting of the ridge was performed simultaneously with implant placement. In 17 of the 32 arches, selected alternately, the expanded ridges were filled with a biphasic calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite 60% and beta-tricalcium phosphate 40%) synthetic bone substitute (SBS 60/40). The other 15 expanded arches were left unfilled. All areas were covered with a resorbable collagen membrane (Bio-Gide, Geistlich). Results were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests (α=.05). RESULTS: There was a significant difference (α=.02) between the patients who received SBS 60/40 (17 cases) and those who did not (15 cases). The ridges that received SBS 60/40 after expansion showed no bone resorption. CONCLUSION: Horizontal expansion of the ridge is easily reproducible. In this study, in very narrow ridges, a lack of bone substitute resulted in significant resorption of 3- to 4-mm-wide crests (5%), even after expansion. A bone substitute should be placed to maintain the alveolar bone walls after expansion.

Domestic abuse--an underreported problem in general dental practice?

UNLABELLED: 'Child abuse' is a topic about which clinicians will be well informed. There are protocols relating to the management of patients suspected of having sustained non-accidental injuries and clinical staff will be expected, as part of mandatory training, to receive education in this area. Domestic abuse (DA) is an under-reported, but relatively common problem and has many implications in the management of traumatic injuries in adults. The objective of this paper is to discuss the aetiology, history and presentation of patients who have been subjected to domestic abuse, and to help provide a strategy for their management. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Domestic abuse is a relatively common problem and, as such, dentists should be aware of this important area and how to manage patients they suspect of having been abused, or who inform them that they have' been subjected to DA.

Clinical characteristics and treatment of superolateral dislocation of the mandibular condyle.

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of superolateral dislocation of the mandibular condyle, and to review our experience of its treatment. Thirteen patients were included in this study. Demographic information and details of their original injury were analyzed by descriptive statistics and the treatment methods were summarized. These patients could be classified into three types: (1) unilateral dislocation with isolated condylar fracture (n=3); (2) unilateral dislocation with associated condylar fracture and other mandibular fracture (n=7); (3) bilateral dislocation with associated condylar fracture and other mandibular fracture (n=3). Treatment involved three main aspects: (1) relief of the condylar dislocation by manual manipulation or open reduction; (2) reduction of the medial condylar fragment and fixation with screws, or removal of the fragment if less than 50% of the condylar width; however, in one case with a tiny condylar fragment, this was left in situ; (3) management of the other associated mandibular fractures by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Follow-up ranged from 6 to 20 months (average 13.69 months). Satisfactory functional outcomes were achieved in these cases. The results of this study indicate that superolateral dislocation of the condyle assumes many forms, and the treatment depends on the presence of fractures.

Nonfatal sport-related craniofacial fractures: characteristics, mechanisms, and demographic data in the pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Few reports exist on sport-related craniofacial fracture injuries in the pediatric population. Most patients with craniofacial injuries are adults, and most studies on pediatric sport injuries do not focus specifically on craniofacial fractures. The authors' goal was to provide a retrospective, descriptive review of the common mechanisms of sport-related craniofacial injuries in the pediatric population, identifying the characteristics of these injuries and providing a description of the demographics of this population. METHODS: The study population included children between the ages of 0 and 18 years who were seen in the emergency department at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between 2000 and 2005. Of the 1508 patients identified, 167 had injuries caused by sport-related trauma (10.6 percent). RESULTS: After evaluation in the emergency department, 45.5 percent were hospitalized, and 15.0 percent of these were admitted to the intensive care unit. The peak incidence of sport-related injuries occurred between the ages of 13 and 15 years (40.7 percent). Nasal (35.9 percent), orbital (33.5 percent), and skull fractures (30.5 percent) were most common, whereas fractures of the maxilla (12.6 percent), mandible (7.2 percent), zygomaticomaxillary complex (4.2 percent), and naso-orbitoethmoid complex (1.2 percent) were observed less frequently. Baseball and softball were most frequently associated with the craniofacial injuries (44.3 percent), whereas basketball (7.2 percent) and football (3.0 percent) were associated with fewer injuries. The most common mechanisms of injury were throwing, catching, or hitting a ball (34.1 percent) and collision with other players (24.5 percent). CONCLUSION: These data may allow targeted or sport-specific craniofacial fracture injury prevention strategies.

Asphyxial death related to postextraction hematoma in an elderly man.

We here report an autopsy case of a man in his seventies who died from asphyxia due to compression of the trachea caused by postextraction bleeding after extraction of his left mandibular third molar by a dentist in private practice. On the morning after the tooth extraction, he had complained of dyspnea and became unconscious at home. Although he was brought to the emergency room by ambulance, he died 7 days later without regaining consciousness. Autopsy examination revealed that the lingual side of the alveolar bone was fractured at the extraction socket. Moreover, subcutaneous bleeding that extended from the extraction socket to the thyrohyoid ligament in the cervical region and deviation of the epiglottis due to the bleeding were observed. Histological findings revealed liver cirrhosis; there were no significant findings in other organs. On the basis of these findings, we concluded that alveolar bone fracture occurred during the extraction and that the bleeding spread to the cervical region. Thus, the patient had died from asphyxia resulting from airway obstruction caused by cervical subcutaneous bleeding derived from postextraction bleeding. We emphasize that tooth extraction may cause fatal complications in patients with bleeding tendencies, particularly in the elderly.

Pediatric facial fractures from dog bites.

PURPOSE: To report a series of pediatric facial fractures associated with dog bites. METHODS: Retrospective review of all dog bite injuries to the face with facial fractures in children from January 1, 2003, to October 31, 2011, at Children's Hospital Colorado (Aurora, Colorado). Patient demographics, location and number of fractures, clinical course, surgical repair, and complications were recorded and analyzed using Excel statistical software. RESULTS: Seventeen of 1,201 (1.4%) children with dog bite injuries to the face also sustained facial fractures. The average age of patients was 3.9 ± 3.2 years and 53% were female. Thirty-five percent of patients presented with multiple facial fractures. The most common fracture involved the nasal bone (29%), while the remainder sustained fractures of the zygomatic arch, orbital rim, orbital floor, skull, mandible, maxilla, and/or sinuses. Of the 17 patients, 41% also sustained eyelid lacerations, 24% had injuries to the facial nerve, and 18% had canalicular lacerations. Fourteen of the 17 patients required surgical repair under general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, facial fractures associated with dog bites are a significant source of morbidity, often requiring complex surgical repair. Severe injuries to the face from dog bites should be evaluated for possible fractures in addition to soft tissue injuries.

Complications of third molar surgery and their management.

The frequency and severity of untoward events associated with surgical procedures are influenced by multiple factors that may be related to the procedure, patient, and/or surgeon. Not every third molar needs to be removed. Full bony impacted lower third molars well below the cervical margin of the second molar crowns should be considered for retention. Certain deviations from normal healing should be considered to be complications. Risk factors associated with third molar removal should be carefully established and explained to the patient. Third molar surgery has a predictable postsoperative course for the average patient.

Traumatismos maxilofaciais em crianças e adolescentes em Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil / Maxillofacial traumatisms in children and adolescents in Campina Grande, Brazil

Objetivo: Avaliar os traumatismos maxilofaciais em crianças e adolescentes no município de Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil. Método: Estudo transversal com dados secundários, sendo a amostra composta por 941 prontuários de pacientes com idades entre 1 a 18 anos portadores de trauma facial atendidos no período de junho de 2007 a junho de 2009 em dois centros de trauma do município. As variáveis estudadas compreenderam: sexo, idade, etiologia, existência de fratura facial, osso acometido e trauma dentário. A análise estatística foi utilizou os testes do Qui-quadrado e Exato de Fisher com nível de significância de 5% (p menor que 0,05). O odds ratio (OR) com intervalo de confiança de 95% foi calculado (IC 95%). Todas as análises foram feitas com o software Epi Info 3.5. Resultados: A razão entre os sexos masculino e feminino foi de 2:1 e a faixa etária de maior acometimento foi a de 1 a 4 anos (28,5%). As quedas (40,6%) e os acidentes de transporte terrestre (20,1%) foram os agentes etiológicos mais prevalentes. Observou-se associação entre o sexo e a ocorrência de acidente de transporte (p=0,001; OR=1,85 [1,28-2,69]. Fraturas faciais foram verificadas em 15,8% das vítimas, existindo associação entre o sexo e a ocorrência de fratura facial (P=0,047; OR=1,5 [1,02-2,25]), predominando os ossos nasais (31,5%) e o zigomático (22,8%). Traumatismo dentário foi identificado em 10,2% das vítimas, não existindo diferença estatística entre o sexo e a presença de trauma dentário (P=0,356). Conclusão: Crianças de baixa idade são as vítimas mais comuns de traumatismos maxilofaciais, com a maioria dos casos ocorrendo nos finais de semana e as quedas e os acidentes de transporte terrestre constituindo-se nos principais agentes etiológicos.

Objective: To evaluate the maxillofacial traumatisms in children and adolescents in the city of Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. Method: This investigation was a cross-sectional study with secondary data and sample composed of 941 charts of 1-18-year-old patients with facial trauma treated between June 2007 and June 2009 at two trauma centers. The studied variables were: sex, age, etiology, existence de facial fracture, affected bone and dental trauma. Comparisons of data were evaluated statistically using the Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests at a significance level of 5% (p less than 0.05). Odds ratio (OR) with confidence intervals to 95% were calculated (CI 95%). They were calculated using the Epi Info Software. Results: The male-to-female ratio was 2:1 and the 1-4-year-old age group was the most affected (28.5%). Falls (40.6%) and road transport accidents (20.1%) were the most prevalent etiologic agents. There was association between sex and occurrence of transport accident (p=0.001; OR=1.85 [1.28-2.69]). Facial fractures were verified in 15.8% of the victims, existing an association between sex and occurrence of facial fracture (p=0.047; OR=1.5 [1.02-2.25]), with predominance of nasal bones (31.5%) and zygomatic bone (22.8%). Dental trauma was identified in 10.2% of the victims, with no statistically significant difference between sex and the presence of dental trauma (p=0.356). Conclusion: Children at early age are the most frequent victims of maxillofacial traumatisms, with most cases occurring during weekends, and falls and road transport accidents being the main etiological agents.

Trends in the pattern of facial fractures in different countries of the world / Tendencias en el patrón de fracturas faciales en diferentes países del mundo

The aim of the present study was to examine the changes in the pattern of maxillofacial fractures between developed and developing countries over two time periods; (1987-1999) and (2000-2007). A comprehensive search of the literature using PubMed was conducted for publications on maxillofacial injuries published during the last 20 years. Only 45 articles met the inclusion criteria and the full-texts of these articles were thoroughly examined. For each of the included studies, different parameters were recorded. Calculated "weighed" percentages of each parameter across the total number of all patients were performed. The mandible was the most frequently fractured facial bone (57 percent). In the total period, the mean age of patients with facial fractures was 24.4 years and the incidence of facial fractures was higher in males (81.3 percent) than in females. The male to female ratio of patients with facial fractures was greater in developing countries (5.1:1.0) than that in developed countries (3.7:1.0) in the total period. Road traffic accident-related injuries had significantly decreased in developed countries and increased in developing countries over the two periods. However, assault-related facial injuries had significantly increased in developed countries and decreased in developing countries over the two periods. The body of the mandible was the most common mandibular fracture site (27.2 percent). It was concluded that mandibular fractures are more common than middle third injuries of the facial skeleton. Most patients affected by facial fractures in different countries were young adult males.

El objetivo del estudio fue examinar los cambios en el patrón de las fracturas maxilofaciales entre los países desarrollados y en vías de desarrollo en dos períodos de tiempo (1987-1999) y (2000-2007). Una búsqueda exhaustiva de la literatura en PubMed se llevó a cabo entre las publicaciones de lesiones maxilofaciales publicados durante los últimos 20 años. Sólo 45 artículos cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión, y los textos completos de estos artículos fueron examinados a fondo. En cada uno de los estudios incluidos se registraron diferentes parámetros. Se calculó el porcentaje de "peso" de cada parámetro a través del número total de pacientes. La mandíbula fue el hueso facial más fracturado (57 por ciento). En todo el periodo evaluado, la media de edad de los pacientes con fracturas faciales fue de 24,4 años y la incidencia de las fracturas faciales fue mayor en hombres (81,3 por ciento) que en mujeres. La razón hombre-mujer de los pacientes con fracturas faciales fue mayor en los países en vías de desarrollo (5,1:1,0) que en los países desarrollados (3,7:1,0) en todo el período. Las lesiones relacionadas con accidentes de tránsito disminuyeron considerablemente en los países desarrollados, mientras que aumentó en los países en vías de desarrollo durante los dos períodos. Sin embargo, las lesiones faciales relacionadas con asaltos aumentaron considerablemente en los países desarrollados y disminuyó en los países en vías de desarrollo durante los dos períodos. El cuerpo de la mandíbula fue el sitio de fractura más común (27,2 por ciento). Se concluyó que las fracturas mandibulares son las lesiones más comunes en el tercio medio del esqueleto facial. La mayoría de los pacientes afectados por fracturas faciales en los diferentes países fueron hombres jóvenes.

Factors influencing the incidence of maxillofacial fractures.

PURPOSE: Maxillofacial injuries occur in a significant proportion of trauma patients. Trauma causes considerable economic expense due to procedural costs, the time a patient is off work, and the associated loss of income. For these reasons, it is an important health and economic issue. The aim of this study is to discuss the factors that may influence the incidence of maxillofacial fractures. As it is necessary to determine trends to help guide the development of new methods of injury prevention, preventative measures are also discussed. METHODS: An electronic search was undertaken in March 2011, including articles published between 1980 and 2011 with the terms "facial fractures" and "maxillofacial fractures" in the title. The texts of epidemiological studies were reviewed in order to identify factors that may influence the incidence of maxillofacial fractures. RESULTS: From the selected articles, ten factors were identified: age, gender, geographic region and cultural aspects, socioeconomic status, temporal and climatic influence, use of alcohol and drugs, compliance with road traffic legislation, domestic violence, osteoporosis, and etiology of the maxillofacial trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Care of injured patients should include not only management of the acute phase, but also combine preventive programs and interventional programs aimed at reducing the incidence of maxillofacial fractures. Therefore, there is a need to ensure strict compliance of traffic rules and regulations, implement improvement in automotive safety devices, organize prevention programs to minimize assaults, implement school education in alcohol abuse and handling potentially hostile situations (especially for men), improve protection during sporting activities, and legislate wearing of protective headgear in workers. Preventive strategies remain the cheapest way to reduce direct and indirect costs of the sequelae of trauma. Societal attitudes and behaviors must be modified before a significant reduction in the incidence of maxillofacial fractures will be seen.

Maxillofacial injuries in Calabar south-south, Nigeria: a 5 year study of jawbone fractures.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to highlight the overall uniqueness of the pattern of presentation of maxillofacial injuries seen at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar south-south Nigeria between January 2000 and December 2004 and to share our experience in terms of occurrence, seasonal fluctuations and the adequacy of treatment methods in our environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case notes of all. the 200 maxillofacial trauma patients were retrieved, examined and analyzed with regards to age, gender and cause of injury, socio-demographic data, diagnosis, pattern of presentation, distribution and treatment. RESULTS: A male-to-female ratio of 3.65:1 was obtained. Out of the 200 patients the highest incidence of injury was in the 20-30 year age group 85 (n=85; 42.5%). The major causes of injuries were motorcycle (n=74; 37%), vehicle (n=62; 31.5%) and assault (n=40; 20%). Six (3%) river-related or boat accidents were recorded. Industrial and sports related accidents contributed the least (n=5; 2.5%). CONCLUSION: Road traffic accident had the highest proportion of the entire maxillofacial injuries with more males affected than females. Seasonal distribution showed a bimodal peak variation of May-June and September-January. This paper calls for the reinforcement of measures for the prevention of automobile accident and the establishment of more maxillofacial specialist centers with modern equipment for effective management of maxillofacial injuries.