Abstract
AbstractFacial traumas are frequent in emergencies, and they require the diagnosis of fractures and associated lesions. AimTo analyze epidemiological data concerning facial trauma care. Materials and MethodsThree hundred and fifty-five charts from patients with facial trauma treated by the Service of Otorhinolaryngology, from January 2002 to December 2008, were revised. The following data was collected: age, gender, etiology, anatomical localization of the fracture, associated injuries, alcohol consumption, treatment, and hospitalization. Study DesignA retrospective historical longitudinal study. ResultsMost of the patients are young adult men (p<0.05) with a male:female ratio of 4:1(p<0.05). Interpersonal violence is the most prevalent cause of facial trauma (27.9%), followed by motor vehicle accidents (16.6%) (p<0.05). The mandible is the most prevalent facial bone fractured (44.2%), followed by nasal fracture (18.9%) (p<0.05). 41.1% of the patients consumed alcohol with a male:female ratio of 11.2:1 (p<0.05). Seventy-seven percent of the patients required surgical intervention (p<0.05) and 84.5% were hospitalized (p<0.05). ConclusionYoung male adults are the most prevalent victims of facial trauma, and interpersonal violence is responsible for the majority of the facial injuries. Most of the cases of facial trauma are associated with the consumption of alcohol. Further studies will be necessary to provide a clear understanding of the trends in the etiology of facial trauma.
Highlights
All aspects regarding trauma have a great importance in the world today, being among the main causes of morbimortality
Young male adults are the most prevalent victims of facial trauma, and interpersonal violence is responsible for the majority of the facial injuries
Most of the cases of facial trauma are associated with the consumption of alcohol
Summary
All aspects regarding trauma have a great importance in the world today, being among the main causes of morbimortality. Among the innumerous injuries seen in urban trauma centers, facial trauma is one of the most prevalent. Since it is the most exposed part of the body, and the one least protected, the face is the region which is most associated with other organs or systems in emergency centers[2]. The epidemiology of facial fractures varies with type and lesion cause and severity, depending on the sample studied. The accidents caused by motor vehicles still represent the main cause of maxillofacial trauma in some developed countries. Recent data from these countries indicate that interpersonal violence has become another prevalent cause. The world trend in the reduction of maxillofacial lesions associated with automobile accidents is associated to the combination of better road conditions, modern safety systems installed to the vehicles, implementation of punishment to drunk drivers, lowering speed limits, increase demands as far as safety systems in vehicles is concerned and the need to use a safety belt[5,6,7]
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