Abstract

MOGAJANE, BM  and  MABONGO, M. Epidemiology of maxillofacial fractures at two maxillofacial units in South Africa. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2018, vol.73, n.3, pp.132-136. ISSN 0375-1562.

AIM: To compare epidemiologic characteristics of maxillofacial fractures seen in patients presenting at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) with those seen at Polokwane -Mankweng Hospital Complex (PMHC). OBJECTIVE:To compare the patterns; aetiology and incidence of maxillofacial fractures between the two units. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross sectional study of 194 patients with 226 maxillofacial fractures reported and treated at either CMJAH or PMHC between December 2013 and August 2014. Variables recorded include: age; sex; socioeconomic status; population group; aetiology; time of injury; identity of assailant (if known), the site of the fracture and associated injuries. RESULTS: Of the total number of patients (194), 82% were male. The majority (75%) were in the age group of 20-39 years with a peak frequency in the 3rd decade. Assaults were by far the leading cause of maxillofacial fractures (60.3%), followed by road traffic accidents accounting for 17.5%. Most (65.5%) were sustained at night. The mandible was the most frequently fractured facial bone (73.0%), followed by the zygoma. CONCLUSION: Interpersonal violence is by far the leading cause of maxillofacial fractures in both units. The general pattern of maxillofacial fractures was the same in both settings, and the differences in numbers reflect the relative population sizes.

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