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South African Journal of Surgery
On-line version ISSN 2078-5151
Print version ISSN 0038-2361
Abstract
PORTER, M; LOWNIE, M and CLEATON-JONES, P. Maxillofacial injury: A retrospective analysis of time lapse between injury and treatment in a South African academic maxillofacial and oral surgery unit. S. Afr. j. surg. [online]. 2013, vol.51, n.4, pp.138-142. ISSN 2078-5151.
BACKGROUND: The study was undertaken in an academic maxillofacial and oral surgical unit in a large quaternary hospital attached to the Medical School of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, between 2002 and 2006. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the number of days in seven patient management intervals from facial fracture occurrence to discharge from hospital, to gain insight into reasons for treatment delays. RESULTS: Facial fractures were treated a mean of 20.4 days from occurrence. There was a mean of 10.3 days from fracture to hospital presentation, and an identical period from hospital presentation to treatment. Statistical analysis showed that delay times decreased from 2002 to 2006. CONCLUSION: More rapid referral to the maxillofacial and oral surgical unit is the most practical way to reduce delays further.