Patterns of brain injuries associated with maxillofacial fractures and its fate in emergency Egyptian polytrauma patients.

PURPOSE: Maxillofacial injuries are commonly encountered in the practice of emergency medicine. More than 50% of patients with these injuries have multisystem trauma that requires coordinated management between emergency physicians and surgical specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and trauma surgery. The aim of this study is to identify the patterns of brain injuries associated with maxillofacial trauma and its outcome. METHODS: This descriptive study (cross-sectional) was carried out among 90 polytrauma patients with maxillofacial fractures attending the Emergency Department at Suez Canal university Hospital and fulfilling our inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: This study demonstrates the relation between type of maxillofacial fracture and type of traumatic brain injuries in which the majority of patients with epidural hemorrhage presented with mid face fractures (60%), while the minority of them presented with upper and lower face fractures (20% for each of them). The majority of patients with subdural hemorrhage were associated with mid face fractures (75%), the majority of patients with brain contusions associated with mid face fractures (75%), and all of the patients presented by pneumocephalus were associated with mid face fractures (100%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm the value of quick diagnosis and early intervention, which is fundamental to prevent morbidity as well as mortality especially with regards to prevention of traumatic brain injury as even a short duration of hypoxia and edema will lead to significant permanent neurological deficits.

Oral-Maxillofacial Injury Surveillance of U.S. Military Personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan, 2001 to 2014.

BACKGROUND: Cranial and oral-maxillofacial injuries accounted for 33% of military visits to in-theater (Level III) military treatment facilities for battle injuries during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Even after years of conflict, the size and scope of oral-maxillofacial injuries in military armed conflict is still not fully understood. This study reports U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) rates of oral-maxillofacial injuries that can be used for further surveillance and research. METHODS: The populations studied were military personnel deployed to Afghanistan in OEF or Iraq in OIF and Operation New Dawn (OND), who sought care at a Level III military treatment facility for one or more oral-maxillofacial injuries. Injuries were identified in the DoD Trauma Registry (DoDTR) using diagnosis codes associated with oral-maxillofacial battle and nonbattle injuries. All oral-maxillofacial injuries incurred from October 19, 2001, to June 30, 2014, were included. The Defense Manpower Data Center provided DoD troop strength numbers to serve as the study denominators. RESULTS: Battle injuries accounted for 80% of oral-maxillofacial injuries in OEF. There were 2,504 oral-maxillofacial injuries in OEF. The Army accounted for 1,820 (72.7%), the Marines 535 (21.3%), the Air Force 75 (3.0%), and the Navy 74 (3.0%). The oral-maxillofacial injury rates in OEF for the Army ranged from 1.10 to 4.90/1,000 person years (PY), for the Marines from 0.57 to 9.39/1,000 PY, for the Navy from 0 to 3.29/1,000 PY, and for the Air Force from 0 to 3.38/1,000 PY. The Army tended to have the highest incidence of all services in the early and latter part of the conflict, whereas Marines tended to have the highest incidence in the middle years. The Marines, Army, and Navy all had their individual highest incidences in 2009, the first year of the 2009 to 2011 OEF troop surge. Battle injuries accounted for 75% of oral-maxillofacial injuries in OIF/OND. There were 3,676 oral-maxillofacial injuries in OIF/OND. The Army accounted for 2,798 (76.1%), the Marines 731 (19.9%), the Navy 91 (2.5%), and the Air Force 56 (1.5%). The injury rates in OIF/OND for the Army ranged from 0.66 to 8.69/1,000 PY, for the Marines from 0.88 to 42.7/1,000 PY, for the Navy from 0.35 to 19.16/1,000 PY, and for the Air Force from 0.24 to 1.13/1,000 PY. In OIF/OND, the Marines had the highest overall oral-maxillofacial injury rate (42.70/1,000 PY) in 2003. The other services had their individual peak incidences in either 2003 or 2004. DISCUSSION/IMPACT/RECOMMENDATIONS: This is the first study, which quantified the incidence of oral-maxillofacial injury in theaters of conflict over prolonged periods. The Army has the highest number of injuries. The Marines had the highest incidences during the initial stages of OIF and the OEF troop surge. Intensity of the conflict could account for the upswing in rates. These increases in injury rates highlight the need for additional health care personnel to be deployed near the battlefield to treat these injuries.

Maxillofacial trauma - Underestimation of cervical spine injury.

Undiagnosed cervical spine injury can have devastating results. The aim of this study was to analyse patients with primary maxillofacial trauma and a concomitant cervical spine injury. It is hypothetised that cervical spine injury is predictable in maxillofacial surgery. A monocentric clinical study was conducted over a 10-year period to analyse patients with primary maxillofacial and associated cervical spine injuries. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, specific trauma and treatments provided were reviewed. Additionally a search of relevant international literature was conducted in PubMed by terms "maxillofacial" AND "cervical spine" AND "injury". Of 3956 patients, n = 3732 (94.3%) suffered from craniomaxillofacial injuries only, n = 174 (4.4%) from cervical spine injuries only, and n = 50 (1.3%) from both craniomaxillofacial and cervical spine injuries. In this study cohort the most prevalent craniofacial injuries were: n = 41 (44%) midfacial and n = 21 (22.6%) skull base fractures. Cervical spine injuries primarily affected the upper cervical spine column: n = 39 (58.2%) vs. n = 28 (41.8%). Only in 3 of 50 cases (6%), the cervical spine injury was diagnosed coincidentally, and the cervical spine column was under immobilised. The operative treatment rate for maxillofacial injuries was 36% (n = 18), and for cervical spine injuries 20% (n = 10). The overall mortality rate was 8% (n = 4). The literature search yielded only 12 papers (11 retrospective and monocentric cohort studies) and is discussed before our own results. In cases of apparently isolated maxillofacial trauma, maxillofacial surgeons should be aware of a low but serious risk of underestimating an unstable cervical spine injury.

Maxillofacial Gunshot Injuries: A Comparison of Civilian and Military Data.

PURPOSE: To compare military with civilian gunshot wounds (GSWs) in the maxillofacial region in order to establish differences in presentation, morbidity, and surgical management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used. The University of Florida at Jacksonville oral and maxillofacial surgery operating room census and hospital trauma registry were both reviewed to identify maxillofacial GSW cases from 2005 through 2011. Military GSW data (2005 through 2011) were obtained from the US Department of Defense (DOD). The predictor variables were civilian versus military GSW events. The outcome variables of interest included the region of the face involved, race, gender, death during admission, hospital length of stay, and number of days in the intensive care unit (ICU). Descriptive statistics were computed. RESULTS: The sample was divided into military maxillofacial GSWs (n = 412) and civilian maxillofacial GSWs (n = 287 treated of 2,478 presented). A significant difference was measured between study groups regarding the region of the face involved (P = .0451), gender (P ≤ .0001), and race (P ≤ .0001). No significant relationship was measured regarding deaths during admission (P = .6510) for either study group. No standard deviation values for hospital length of stay or number of ICU days were provided by the DOD. The mean hospital length of stay for the military group was within the 95% confidence interval of the civilian group findings (6.0-7.6). The mean number of ICU days for the military group was not within the civilian group's 95% confidence interval (1.9-2.9). CONCLUSIONS: These data showed important differences in anatomic location, gender, and race distribution of maxillofacial GSWs between military and civilian populations. Limited analysis of hospital length of stay and number of ICU days might indicate no meaningful difference in hospital length of stay, although there was a statistical difference in the number of ICU days between the 2 populations. Future research comparing surgical strategies in these 2 environments could assist maxillofacial surgeons in providing optimal care to their patients.

Trends in maxillofacial trauma: a comparison of two cohorts of patients at a single institution 20 years apart.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare and characterize 2 cohorts of patients with maxillofacial fractures within the same institution over 2 6-year time frames 20 years apart. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with maxillofacial fractures at the authors' institution from 2004 to 2010 was performed, and a comparison was made with the authors' experience from 1984 to 1990. RESULTS: The 1990 study showed 458 maxillofacial fractures (152 midface and 306 mandibular fractures). In the 2010 study, there were 1,731 maxillofacial fractures (1,313 midface and 418 mandibular fractures). There were significant differences in the mechanism of injury between the 1990 and 2010 studies: assaults decreased from 48.8% to 29.7%, motor vehicle collisions decreased from 39.1% to 29.6%, and falls increased from 3.6% to 22.1%. Comparison by age categories showed major changes in the following groups: maxillofacial fractures in patients 21 to 40 years old decreased from 61.7% to 35.3%, those in patients 41 to 65 years old increased from 13.1% to 35.4%, and those in patients at least 66 years old (elderly) increased from 0.2% to 14.5%. All these changes were statistically significant (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Maxillofacial trauma has changed significantly over the past 2 decades in the authors' institution. A decrease in assault-related injuries in the younger populations and an increase in the incidence of falls in the elderly were the main differences. There was a significant increase in elderly patients with maxillofacial trauma. This change emphasizes the need for adequate prevention programs and appropriate maxillofacial surgery teams to manage these injuries in the older patient.

Improved mortality from penetrating neck and maxillofacial trauma using Foley catheter balloon tamponade in combat.

BACKGROUND: The military medical community has promoted use of Foley catheter balloon tamponade in the initial management of vascular injury owing to neck or maxillofacial trauma. The aim of the study was to compare outcomes with Foley catheter tamponade with those obtained with traditional use of external pressure. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated all cases of persistent bleeding caused by penetrating neck or maxillofacial trauma received at one forward aid station between December 2009 and October 2011. Cohorts included those who were treated with Foley catheter tamponade and those managed with external pressure. Which treatment option was applied depended solely on the availability of Foley catheters at the time. The effectiveness of each technique in controlling initial and delayed hemorrhage is described, and the impact on mortality is analyzed using the Student's t test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Seventy-seven subjects met the inclusion criteria with 42 subjects in the Foley group and 35 subjects in the external pressure group. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups regarding delayed failure, experienced by three patients (7%) in the Foley group and nine patients (26%) in the external pressure group (p < 0.05). The difference in mortality, 5% (two patients) in the Foley tamponade group and 23% (eight patients) in the external pressure group, was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: For penetrating neck and maxillofacial injuries in a combat environment, Foley catheter balloon tamponade significantly reduced mortality when compared with direct pressure techniques through its effect on preventing delayed bleeding.

A closer look at orthopedic injuries associated with maxillofacial trauma.

Although orthopedic injury has been reported to be the most frequent injury associated with facial trauma, their relationship has not been sufficiently evaluated in the literature. To evaluate this relationship, we compared 263 patients with concomitant facial and orthopedic injuries with 2006 patients with facial injuries alone. The rate of associated orthopedic injuries was 11.5%. Motor vehicle accidents, falls, mandibular fractures, and Le Fort I fractures increased the chance of sustaining orthopedic injuries nearly 17-, 15-, 10-, 4.4-, and 4.5-fold, respectively. Most fractures occurred in large bones with their inherent potential to cause severe, life-threatening complications. The high rates of mortality and morbidities associated with orthopedic injuries and the frequent occurrence of these injuries in patients with facial trauma emphasize upon the fact that maxillofacial surgeons, residents, and trauma nurses need more training in early diagnosis and appropriate management of associated orthopedic injuries.

Mortalidade por acidentes de trânsito e ocorrência de fraturas maxilofaciais / Mortality due to traffic accidents and occurrence of maxillofacial fractures

O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar a mortalidade por acidentes de trânsito e ocorrência de fraturas maxilofaciais em Campina Grande, Paraíba. Efetuou-se um estudo transversal, por meio da análise de laudos médicos de adultos vitimados por acidentes de trânsito, sendo os dados coletados no Núcleo de Medicina Legal (Numol). A amostra foi composta por 273 laudosde vítimas por acidentes automotivos no ano de 2005. Foram analisadas as variáveis: sexo, idade, dia e horário, tipo de causa, quantificação das lesões, região da lesão (cabeça e face), fratura maxilofacial, avulsão dentária e ossos faciais fraturados. Concluiu-se que as mortes nos acidentes de trânsito envolvem jovens do sexo masculino vítimas de acidentes com motocicletas que apresentam múltiplas lesões. As regiões da cabeça e face são frequentemente envolvidas, sendo comuns as fraturas dos ossos maxilares.

Patterns of maxillofacial injuries caused by terrorist attacks in Iraq: retrospective study.

Over the past 5 years, Iraq has witnessed daily terrorist attacks mainly using improvised explosive devices. The aim of this study was to analyze the patterns of maxillofacial injuries caused by terrorist attacks in a sample of Iraqi casualties. Records from two hospitals, including 551 patients who sustained maxillofacial injuries due to terrorists attacks, were analyzed according to the patients' age, sex, site of injury, type of injury and cause of injury. Concomitant injuries and mortality were also considered. The most common age group affected was those aged 15-29 years. Most of these injuries were caused by improvised explosive devices (71%). More than one facial zone was injured in 212 patients (38%). Isolated soft tissues injuries were detected in (54%) of victims. Pure maxillofacial injuries comprised 33%. The most common injuries associated with this type of trauma were eye injuries (29%). The mortality rate was 2% from pure maxillofacial injuries. Terrorist attacks cause unique maxillofacial injuries, which should be considered a new entity in the trauma field.

Incidence and severity of maxillofacial injuries during the Second Lebanon War among Israeli soldiers and civilians.

PURPOSE: To analyze the incidence and severity of maxillofacial injuries in the Second Lebanon War, that occurred during the summer of 2006, among Israeli soldiers and civilians. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients recorded in the Israel National Trauma Registry during the Second Lebanon War. Data refer to all general hospitals throughout the country. Data were analyzed according to the etiology of the injury, severity of trauma using the Injury Severity Score, trauma location, and duration of hospital stay. Cases with multiple injuries that included maxillofacial injuries were separated and further analyzed according to the above parameters. Patients with only dental injuries and superficial facial soft tissue lacerations were excluded because they were referred to the military dental clinics and not to general hospitals. RESULTS: Maxillofacial injuries were found in 36 (6.4%) of the 565 wounded. Patients with maxillofacial injuries ranged in age from 20 to 44 years (mean age, 25.5 +/- 5.7 years). Greater than 50% of the injuries required more than 3 hospitalization days. Mortality rate of the maxillofacial injured was 2.8%. Most of the maxillofacial injuries (33; 91.7%) were combined with other organ injuries; 9 (25%) patients also had dental injuries. CONCLUSION: In the Second Lebanon War, the incidence and severity of true maxillofacial injuries, without dental injuries alone, were relatively low compared with previous reports of other conflicts. However, because most injuries involved multiple organs, special attention is required when planning and providing emergency, as well as secondary and tertiary medical care to war wounded.

Maxillofacial trauma resulting from terror in Israel.

During a 33 month period, maxillofacial injuries resulting from terrorist attacks in Israel were compared with non-terror trauma maxillofacial injuries. Files of patients hospitalized from October 1, 2000 to June 30, 2003 were obtained from the Israel National Trauma Registry. Data were evaluated and compared with a hospitalized non-terror related trauma population within the same period. A literature survey was also conducted. Terror casualties totaled 1,811. In 493 patients with facial injuries, 322 had soft facial tissue injuries (excluding eyes and ears), and 104 had hard tissue injuries of the maxillofacial complex. A significantly higher prevalence was found in terror casualties (explosions and gunshots) compared with non-terror related casualties. Most suffered multiple injuries. Maxillofacial terror casualties experience a unique epidemiology, with more severe injuries and higher prevalence of soft and hard tissue injuries. Preparedness and awareness to the unique pattern of injuries are needed when terrorists strike.

All-terrain vehicle-related maxillofacial trauma in the pediatric population.

PURPOSE: Nearly 40% of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crash-related fatalities involve pediatric patients, with many of these patients dying from head and neck injuries. West Virginia is in a unique position to examine these injuries because of its high rate of ATV use. This study examines craniofacial ATV-related trauma in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, descriptive study of 26 children presenting with a craniofacial injury(ies) resulting from an ATV crash from January 2001 to December 2004. RESULTS: Twenty-six children (65% boys) with a mean age of 13.1 years presented with craniofacial injuries during the study period. Two patients were helmeted. Mortality was 3.8% (n = 1, head injury related, postinjury day 3). Patients were most often drivers of the ATV (65%), although girls were more likely to be passengers (P = .03). Facial contusions, lacerations, and abrasions were highly prevalent (62%, 69%, 65%, respectively), as were fractures of the facial bones and skull (77%). Thirty-five percent sustained closed head injuries, which were significantly associated with mandible fractures (odds ratio 12.8%; 95% CI, 1.15-143). Mean length of hospital stay was 4.6 +/- 5 days, and 36% required an ICU stay (mean, 5.1 +/- 3 days). Twenty-four percent required ventilator support (mean, 107 +/- 43 hours; range, 48 to 168 hours). Operative intervention was required in 72% of patients (n = 18). CONCLUSION: Maxillofacial injury patterns from ATV-related crashes in children suggest a high percentage of significant facial injuries and closed head injuries. As new ATV legislation that addresses operator use is enacted, a decrease in the number and severity of craniofacial injuries may be seen.

Maxillofacial injuries and life-threatening hemorrhage: treatment with transcatheter arterial embolization.

BACKGROUND: There are many reasons for hypotension in trauma patients with multiple injuries; one uncommon source is facial fractures. The treatment algorithm is volume replacement and local control of the bleeding. A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the treatment of patients with life-threatening hemorrhage secondary to facial fractures, and to develop a treatment algorithm. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was undertaken to determine the incidence of hemorrhagic shock in patients with facial fractures exclusive of others sources, and the use of transcatheter arterial embolization to control the bleeding was evaluated. RESULTS: Over a 4-year period, 7562 patients were treated at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital, a Level I trauma center. There were 912 patients with facial injuries, with 11 of these patients presenting with life-threatening hemorrhage secondary to facial fractures. The incidence of life-threatening hemorrhage from facial fracture was 1.2%. The mechanism of injury was blunt in 10 patients and penetrating in 1. The blunt injuries resulted from six motor vehicles crashes, three motorcycle crashes, and one plane crash. The one penetrating injury was a shotgun blast. There were six patients with Le Fort III fractures, two patients with Le Fort II fractures, and three patients with a combination of Le Fort II and III fractures bilaterally. The average volume infused before the embolization was 7 L; this included blood and crystalloid. There were four complications: two minor groin hematomas, one partial necrosis of the tongue, and one facial nerve palsy. There were two deaths, both secondary to concomitant intracranial injury as a result of blunt trauma. CONCLUSION: The incidence of severe hemorrhage secondary to facial fractures is rare; however, it can be life threatening. When common modalities of treatment such as pressure, packing, and correction of coagulopathy fail to control the hemorrhage, transcatheter arterial embolization offers a safe alternative to surgical control.

Facial fractures and concomitant injuries in trauma patients.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Maxillofacial fractures often occur with serious concomitant injury in trauma patients, and knowledge of the type and severity of associated injuries can assist in rapid assessment and treatment. The objective was to identify the most commonly occurring injuries associated with facial fractures in severely injured trauma patients. STUDY DESIGN: Review of medical records. METHODS: A retrospective review was made of 151 patients with facial fractures presenting to a level-one trauma center over a 4-year span. All patients had an injury severity score of 12 or greater. Chart data recorded included demographics, etiology, presentation, facial fracture site, concomitant injury, imaging studies, hospital stay and course, interventions, and outcome. RESULTS: The most common cause or origin of facial fracture was assault (41%), followed by motor vehicle accident (26.5%). Orbital fracture was the most common overall facial fracture (24.2%), with nasal fractures being the most common isolated fracture (23.2%). Cerebral hematoma occurred in 43.7% of patients, with subdural hematoma being the most frequent. Pulmonary injury was the second most commonly associated injury (31.1%) with lung contusion being the most frequent. Seventy-two patients (42%) required intubation, and 22 (14.8%) required tracheostomy during their hospital stay. The hospital complication rate was 50.3% and included primarily pulmonary complications, septicemia, renal failure, and severe anemia. Thirteen patients died during their hospital stay; 11 of them died of neurologic injuries, 1 of pulmonary failure, and 1 of overwhelming sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral and pulmonary injuries are often associated with maxillofacial fractures in severely injured trauma patients. Knowledge of these associated injuries provides useful strategies for patient care and prevention of further complications. A multidisciplinary and coordinated approach is important for optimum stabilization and ongoing treatment of patients with facial fractures.

Life-threatening complications and irreversible damage following maxillofacial trauma.

Trauma remains one of the principal causes of mortality in the western world, especially among young adults. The most serious immediate life-threatening complication following maxillofacial trauma is airway obstruction. The onset can be sudden, as with foreign body aspiration, or following soft-tissue damage that can lead at a later stage to airway-compromising oedema. The medical literature regarding facial trauma appears to support the hypothesis that maxillofacial trauma alone is rarely life threatening, or will not lead to life-threatening conditions unless associated with airway compromise. There are some causes of life-threatening complications following trauma to the maxillofacial region such as massive bleeding or undiagnosed cervical spine injury. However, there are some situations that may cause irreversible damage unless immediate operation is undertaken. The almost complete lack of reports dealing with death or irreversible damage in trauma involving the maxillofacial region prompted us to review and analyse the importance of immediate intervention following trauma to the maxillofacial region, in order to treat life-threatening complications and prevent irreversible damage.

Maxillofacial and associated injuries in severely traumatized patients: implications of a regional survey.

The aim of this paper was to study the incidence and causes of facial injuries occurring in conjunction with major trauma, and to examine the role of the maxillofacial surgeon in the management of severely injured patients. A prospective study was undertaken of 1088 patients seen in 16 hospitals over a 1-year period. A total of 161 (15%) patients sustained facial injuries. Of these, 33% died at the scene of the incident and 21% died in hospital. There was poor resuscitation in 32% of patients, and a total of 32 injuries were missed in 19 patients. The involvement of the maxillofacial surgeon in the management of severely injured patients is examined. Our findings emphasize the need for early referral to the maxillofacial surgeon. It is concluded that maxillofacial surgery should be an on-site speciality, closely associated with the neurosurgical centre.

Fracturas malares / Malar Fractures

Se presentaron 20 casos de fracturas malares en un periodo comprendido antre 1987-1990, atendiendo y tratados en el Hospital Central del Sur, Block B IPSS Arequipa y que representan el 7,7 por ciento del total de traumatismos maxilofaciales. Estas fracturas son más frecuentes en pacientes de sexo masculino (90 por ciento) en edades que fluctúan entre 21 y 30 años (45 por ciento) y en aquellas que proceden de zonas urbanas (80 por ciento). La circunstancias del traumatismo está en relación con los accidentes de tránsito (50 por ciento) y la agresión física (25 por ciento). Los autores utilizan como tratamiento la reducción cruenta y osteosíntesis con alambre quirúrgico asociado a antrotomía maxilar.

There are 20 cases of malar fractures in a period between 1987-1990, attended and treated in the Southerm Central Hospital Block B Arequipa wich represent 7.7 per cent of all maxillary-facial traumatisms. These fractures are more frequent in patients of masculine sex (90 per cent) in ages that fluctuate between 21 and 30 years (45 per cent) and in that they come from urban zones (80 per cent). The circumstances of the traumatism are in relation to the traffic accidents (50 per cent) and the physical aggression (25 per cent). The authors use like treatment the bloody reduction and osteosíntesis with surgical wire associated to antrotomía to maxilar.

Maxillofacial trauma in fatally injured victims of motor vehicle accidents.

A survey of 84 victims of maxillofacial injuries sustained in road traffic accidents is presented. The material was based on the files of the Finnish National Board of Traffic Accident Investigation of the Insurance Companies, comprised the years 1972-1983 and covered the whole country. 86% of the victims were occupants of motor cars; only 24% had worn seat belts. Similarly only two of the eight motor-cyclists had worn a helmet. The majority of all victims also had other head injuries but only 24% had brain injuries; over 50% had a chest injury. In 20 cases the facial injury was thought to be the definitive fatal trauma. In the remaining cases the other injuries could have been responsible for the fatal outcome. However, aspiration of blood from the facial wounds, unconciousness and an injured thorax probably all contributed to death which in 87% was immediate. Thirty-six of the 64 victims who had not used a seat-belt or helmet could certainly, or probably, have been saved by either the belt or the helmet. The possibilities of preventing fatal maxillofacial injuries in road traffic are discussed.