Journal Portal
Global Research Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 3(1) pp.1 –6 June 2013
Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/journal/grjms
Copyright ©2013 Global Research Journals
Case Study
PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF MAXILLOFACIAL SKELETAL INJURIES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR TEACHING HOSPITAL CALABAR, NIGERIA.
Bassey GO*, Osunde DO*, Mgbe RB** Obiadazie AC***
*Consultants Oral/maxillofacial dept. University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Calabar
**Consultant Otolaryngology dept. University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Calabar
***Consultant Oral/maxillofacial dept. Ahamdu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria
Correspondence: Dr Bassey G.O. E-mail; bassgobi@yahoo.com
| Abstract |
The pattern of presentation of maxillofacial skeletal injuries varies depending on many factors operating alone or in combination. For instance, the cause and circumstance of injury, mechanism of injury, pre-injury state of comprehension, type of vehicle (car or motorcycle), socioeconomic characteristics of the community often changes with time and complexity of an area.
The objective of this study is to determine the pattern of presentation of maxillofacial skeletal injuries in the Calabar area of Nigeria and to find out how this compares with other studies carried out within and outside the country. It is a prospective study undertaken as part of a wider study by the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital trauma study group.
A total of two thousand two hundred and twenty nine consecutive accidents and emergency cases presented in the casualty unit of the University of Calabar Teaching hospital within a twelve-month period
(1st February,2005-31stJanuary, 2006). Trauma accounted for 649 cases, out of which, 98 were maxillofacial skeletal injuries.
The records of their ages, gender, cause of injury, time of presentation, bone/s fractured, treatment methods, outcome and complications were noted and documented in their case notes.
Seventy-eight males and twenty females, a ratio of 4:1 was recorded with a peak age incidence between twenty-one and forty years (64; 65.3%).
Motorcycle accidents constituted the main cause (83; 84.69%) of injury. More of the injured were riders (50;60.24%) and these resulted from head - collision with other motorcycles. The mandible was the most fractured singular bone with 58 (59.2%) out of ninety-eight patients injured, while isolated zygomatic bone fracture was not recorded. All the eleven zygomatic fractures recorded occurred in combination with fractures of other facial bones and these were left sided. No patient used full-faced helmets.
More females tend to present earlier for treatment than their male counterpart. Treatment was mostly conservative with the use of simple procedures. The results were satisfactory with only eight patients (8.16%) presenting with complications that were managed successfully. No death following maxillofacial injuries alone was recorded.
The use of full-faced helmets that will be protective of maxillofacial skeletal structures and a change to low capacity engine motorcycles for the commercial use of conveying commuters are recommended.
KEY WORDS: Skeletal injuries, motorcycles,helmets.