Epidemiology of maxillofacial injuries at trauma hospitals in Ontario, Canada, between 1992 and 1997.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to review the epidemiology of maxillofacial skeletal injuries in severely injured patients admitted to trauma hospitals in Ontario, Canada, with an Injury Severity Score > 12.


METHODS
The Ontario Trauma Registry was accessed to examine the epidemiology of maxillofacial skeletal injuries in severely injured patients treated at 12 trauma hospitals in the province of Ontario, Canada, between 1992 and 1997. Data were collected prospectively, and a descriptive analysis was performed to determine the pattern of maxillofacial injuries, including patient age, sex distribution, etiology of injury, time of injury, and injury profile.


RESULTS
There were 2,969 patients that met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 25 years, and men were injured at a 3:1 ratio over women. Most severely injured patients with maxillofacial fractures were injured as a result of motor vehicle collision (70%), with only 33% of the patients restrained with a seat-belt. The temporal distribution of injuries showed that most injuries occurred during evening hours, on weekends, and in the summer. The largest number of fractures was found in the maxilla and orbital bones. The Injury Severity Score of the patients in this study ranged from 13 to 75, with a median of 25. The injury most commonly associated with maxillofacial fractures was injury to the head and neck area. Of patients with injury to the head and neck, most had an altered level of consciousness or injuries to the skull, brain, or cranial vessels.


CONCLUSIONS
Many severely injured patients have maxillofacial injuries. Long-term collection of epidemiologic data regarding maxillofacial fractures is important for the evaluation of existing preventative measures and useful in the development of new methods of injury prevention. Furthermore, insight into the epidemiology of facial fractures and concomitant injuries is an integral component in evaluating the quality of patient care, developing optimal treatment regimens, and making decisions regarding appropriate resource and manpower allocations.
Hogg
N J
NJ
Department of Dentistry and Trauma Program, London Health Sciences Centre and the University of Western Ontario, Ontario.
Stewart
T C
TC
Armstrong
J E
JE
Girotti
M J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data