title: Sports-Related Maxillofacial Injuries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sports-related maxillofacial injuries contribute a significant proportion of the workload in a maxillofacial unit. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of maxillofacial sports-related injuries, treatments required, and assess the impact of the injury on future sport participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was carried out on all maxillofacial trauma referrals from September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010. Patient records were reviewed and the following variables were recorded: age, sex, sport involved, injury sustained, mechanism of injury, treatment, subsequent participation, and interval before return to sport.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population included 162 patients with sports-related facial injuries. The most common sporting injuries were as follows: Gaelic football 35.3% (N = 57), soccer 22.3% (N = 36), rugby 12.4% (N = 20), and equine sports 12.4% (N = 20). The most common injury sustained was zygomatic complex fracture 36.4% (N = 59). Mandibular fracture occurred in 20% (N = 33), orbit fracture in 14.2% (N = 23), and nasal bone fracture in 12.3% (N = 20). The most common mechanism of injury was from a clash of heads (23.4%) followed by an elbow to the face (17.2%). The majority of patients (84%) resumed participation in their chosen sport at mean interval of 7.3 weeks (range 1-18 weeks).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identified a significant number of sporting facial injuries, which presented over 1 year. In total, 113 patients underwent a surgical procedure for the management of their injuries. This study highlights the need to educate all players regarding use of personal protective equipment and adherence to the rules of sports.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National Maxillofacial Unit, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Colm
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: John Edward
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kearns
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stassen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000293:injuries; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068958:Return to Sport / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries; D055815:Young Adult; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology