Maxillofacial Trauma at Dapaong in Togo: About 208 Cases

Abstract

Objective: We conducted a study to describe the problem of maxillofacial trauma in rural Africa. Background: the maxillofacial region is very much affected by trauma. These traumas, which are mainly related to public roads, are responsible for considerable mortality. In Africa, they mainly concern young men. Method: This was a monocentric, retrospective and descriptive study over 02 years from January 2019 to December 2021 in the surgical and stomatology departments of the Regional Hospital of Dapaong in Togo. All patients who received treatment for maxillofacial trauma in the said departments during the study period were included. Results: 208 cases of trauma were reported with an annual incidence of 104 cases. The average age was 31.4 years and the age groups most represented were 20 to 29 years (34.13%). Road traffic accidents were the main circumstance (70.14%) and involved mainly blue-collar workers (25.48%). Only standard X-rays were used to assess the injuries. Bone lesions concerned 92.79% of the patients with a predominance of mandibular fractures (34.60%). The main mode of management in the centre was orthopaedic treatment. Conclusion: Maxillofacial trauma is common in Togo. It involves young men and is essentially related to road accidents.