Orofacial trauma in rural India: A clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
Orofacial trauma is becoming a leading medical problem worldwide. Most of the studies pertaining to orofacial trauma have been done in urban areas but very little scientific literature is available for rural areas.


METHODS
A prospective medical institute-based study of orofacial injury patients was carried out from May 2013 to April 2016 (36 Months). Data regarding incidence, age and sex distribution, causes, types and site of injury, treatment modalities and trauma associated complications were collected and analysed.


RESULTS
A total of 784 patients were studied. Males outnumbered females by a ratio of 2.9:1. Age range was 9 months-75 years with the peak incidence in the age-group of 18-34 years. Most injuries were caused by road-side accidents (72.7%), followed by assault and falls in 11.6% and 8% respectively. Soft tissue injuries and mandibular fractures were the most common type of injuries. Head/neck (50.29%) and limb injuries (27.2%) were the most prevalent associated injuries. Surgical debridement and soft tissue suturing was the most common emergency procedure. Closed reduction was performed in 61% of patients and open reduction and internal fixation in 30% of cases and 9% were managed conservatively. Complications occurred in 6.88% of patients, mainly due to infection and malocclusion. The mean duration of hospital stay was (10.12 ± 6.24) days.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the importance of department of dental surgery along with other disciplinaries in the management of orofacial injuries. Road-side accident remains the major etiological factor of orofacial injuries in our setting.
BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat, Haryana, India. Electronic address: drsunitamalikmds@gmail.com.
Sunita
S
Malik
BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat, Haryana, India.
Gurdarshan
G
Singh
Aadesh Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Bathinda, Punjab, India.
Gagandeep
G
Kaur
BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat, Haryana, India.
Sunil
S
Yadav
BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat, Haryana, India.
Hitesh C
HC
Mittal
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
Incidence; Orofacial injuries; Traffic accidents