[Epidemiology of maxillofacial traumatology in Tunis].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology of maxillofacial trauma in Tunisia over a 10-year period.


METHODS
This retrospective study was carried out between 1995 and 2004 on patients admitted for maxillofacial trauma in the department of maxillofacial and plastic surgery of the Charles-Nicolle Hospital in Tunis. The selected relevant parameters were: age, gender, etiology, time of trauma, type of fracture and associated lesions.


RESULTS
A total of 1100 patient files were analyzed. The average age was 29 years and the sex-ratio was 6:1 in favor of men. The most common etiologies were: car crashes (39%), fights (28%) and domestic trauma (19%), occurred in the evening, on weekends and in the summer. The frequency increased in the evening, on weekends and in the summer. Mandibular fractures (62%) and zygomatic fractures (32%) were the most common trauma. Polytrauma occurred in 18% of the patients and cranial trauma in 10% of the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Epidemiological investigations results vary according to demographic and cultural regional specificities. Long-term collection of epidemiological data in maxillofacial surgery is a major issue to plan educational campaigns and therapeutic strategies. In Tunisia, driver education and observance of traffic regulations should be improved.
Bouguila
J
J
Service de chirurgie maxillofaciale et esthétique, CHU Charles-Nicolle, boulevard du 9-Avril-1938, 1006 Tunis, Tunisie. bouguila_jed@yahoo.fr
Zairi
I
I
Khonsari
R H
RH
Jablaoui
Y
Y
Hellali
M
M
Adouani
A
A
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult