title: Alcohol-involved maxillofacial fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alcohol-related facial trauma is an increasingly prominent social problem and health hazard. Interpersonal violence (IPV) is often implicated in these trauma presentations and the facial skeleton frequently targeted. This paper examines the characteristics of admitted patients with alcohol-related facial fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic data of patients assessed or treated for facial fractures from January 2012 to December 2014 at Western Health was obtained through the Clinical Record Department. Variables analysed include patient age and gender, fracture site(s), alcohol involvement, country of birth, injury mechanism and surgical intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 659 patient records analysed, 18% presentations had alcohol involvement. In the alcohol group, 88% were male, 44% in the 20-34 year age group, 41% suffered nasal fractures, 65% presented following IPV and 60% required surgery. Thirty-seven per cent of patients were non-Australians. Alcohol involvement was significantly correlated with gender, age group and fracture sites but not with surgical intervention or ethnic origin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A binge drinking culture has contributed to prevalence of alcohol-related trauma. This study reports alcohol involvement in facial fractures to have high predilection for gender, age group of patients and fracture location. Facial trauma frequently necessitates surgical intervention. Educational programmes should be implemented to raise awareness of this potentially preventable health burden among health providers.
authors.affiliation: Western Health, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Western Health, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Western Health, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chandu
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D005147:Facial Bones; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000209:etiology*; D012984:Software; D013179:Spouse Abuse; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014754:Violence; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alcohol; epidemiology; fracture; maxillofacial; trauma