Incidence, Aetiology and Pattern of Maxillofacial Injuries in a Tertiary Trauma Hospital, Nepal: A 5-year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence, aetiology and patterns of maxillofacial injuries in a tertiary trauma hospital in Nepal.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all the maxillofacial trauma patients operated at the Department of Plastic, Cosmetic and Maxillofacial Surgery, B and B Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal between 1st March, 2015 and 31st December, 2020 was performed. Data were collected for each patient in regards to age, gender, cause and nature and type of the injury and the treatment provided.

Results: Among 409 patients operated in this period for maxillofacial injuries, 83% (n=356) were male and 17% (n=73) were female. Patients in the second and third decade of life were found to be more prone to sustain maxillofacial injuries. Road traffic accident was the most frequent cause (n=331; 77%) followed by physical assault (n=46; 10.7%) and falls (n=42; 9.7%). Mandible was the most commonly fractured bone (n=125; 26.5%). Fracture of parasymphysis, combined symphysis and condyle fracture and parasymphysis and angle fracture were the most common patterns of mandible fracture.

Conclusions: The major cause of maxillofacial injuries among patients operated in our hospital was road traffic accident which directly reflects the poor traffic system and improperly planned roads.