Evaluation of Immediate Phase of Management of Missile Injuries Affecting Maxillofacial Region in Iraq

Abstract

In the past two years Iraq was, and still is, subjecting to a confluence of conventional war, civil unrest, guerrilla and terrorist attacks as well as an increasing crime rates. This study evaluates the immediate phase of management of 100 patients suffering from missile injuries to the maxillofacial region. Patients were treated in the maxillofacial unit in the Specialized Surgeries Hospital Medical City, Baghdad during one year (from 2003 to 2004). We had 79 men and 21 women. Age ranged from three to 72 years (mean 37.5 years). The majority of injuries were caused by rifle bullets (49%) followed by fragments (29%), handgun bullets (15%), airgun pellets (6%), and shotgun (1%). Injuries consisted mainly of mandibular fractures found in 56 patients. Urgent airway management was needed in (27%) of patients. Nineteen patients were presented with active bleeding which would not stop without intervention. Most entrance and exit wounds as well as retained missiles were located in the cheek (54.8%, 39.4%, and 27.5% respectively). There were three mortalities due to complications related to head injury. Distribution of missiles used in any conflict reflects the type of this conflict, the prevailing local conditions, and the technological efficiency of weapons used by the opposing teams. Particularly challenging are missile injuries that involve the face, not only because of problems with reconstructing bone and soft tissue defects but also because of emergent problems with airway obstruction and neurovascular compromise.