Epidemiology of Facial Fractures: An Analysis in 349 Patients

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aims to assess the epidemiological characteristics of facial fractures in a 5-year retrospective survey, in Burkina Faso.
Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study carried out between 2005 and 2009 at the Department of Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery of University Teaching Hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso. All patients seen during this period who had facial fracture and complete records were included. The data collected included the patient's age and gender, the aetiology and the site of the facial fracture, the existence and type of other corporeal injuries.
Results: A total of 349 patients presenting 596 facial fractures were recorded. The fractures involved the mandible in 203 (44.5%) patients, the zygomatic complex in 178 (38.9%) patients, the maxilla in 63 (13.8%) patients and the nasofronto orbital ethmoid complex in 13 patients (2.8%).Patients' ages ranged from 1 to 71 years (mean 30.5), 58.2% of the patients were recorded between 20 and 39 years and 14.2% of them had 15 years or below. The male to female ratio was 7.1:1. The aetiologies of the fractures were road traffic crashes (80.5%), assaults (9.7%), falls (8.3%), and sport accidents (1.5%). In 80% of the road traffic crashes, the two-wheeled vehicles were involved.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate the necessity of development of public transport and enforcement of road traffic laws, especially, the wearing of helmets, in Burkina Faso.

Key words: Facial fracture; Frequency; Aetiology.