Maxillofacial fractures sustained during sports played with a ball.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and type of maxillofacial fractures caused by various sports played with a ball to better understand the nature of these fractures. Study design Retrospective study was carried out using records from 100 patients treated between 1986-2002. Age and sex, etiology, and site of the fracture, yearly and monthly distribution of the fractures, and treatment modality were analyzed.


RESULTS
The fractures mostly resulted from baseball (44%), followed by rugby (28%) and soccer (18%). The highest incidence was in the 10- to 19-year age-group with male propensity. The most common cause of the fractures was impact against another player (43%). The majority of the patients suffered from mandibular fractures (56%), followed by midface (31%) and alveolar fractures (12%). Mandibular angle, zygoma, and zygomatic arch fractures were prominent for rugby fractures. A yearly comparison of the fracture incidence showed a gradual decrease over the 16-year period. Fractures had a peak incidence in autumn. 55% of the patients were treated surgically. Surgical intervention was mostly needed for patients sustaining fractures during soccer (72.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
Among ball-related sports, baseball is responsible for most of the maxillofacial fractures, but, although the incidence is not that high, soccer-related fractures may be more severe due to the nature of this sport.
Delilbasi
Cagri
C
Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, The First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Japan.
Yamazawa
Michikuni
M
Nomura
Kimiko
K
Iida
Seiji
S
Kogo
Mikihiko
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000293:injuries; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001484:Baseball / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology