Maxillofacial trauma and the role of alcohol

Abstract

Interpersonal violence is often associated with alcohol misuse. Most injuries that result from interpersonal violence affect the face, and maxillofacial surgeons are responsible for their treatment. Consequently maxillofacial surgeons are well placed to audit and help multi-agency task groups to address this social problem. An audit was undertaken of two years’ emergency referrals within the Merseyside region to assess the association of maxillofacial trauma and alcohol. The age and sex distribution were assessed together with the cause and place where the injury occurred. Results show an involvement of alcohol with interpersonal violence of 72%, which is the highest published association. We also analysed the type of injury and the place where each injury occurred, and the association with alcohol in each circumstance. In an attempt to identify alcohol misuse, an Alcohol use Disorders Identification Test questionnaire (AUDIT) was used to offer a brief intervention to educate and modify hazardous, harmful, or dependent alcoholic behaviour.