Soft tissue injuries of the face in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out in Port Harcourt the centre of several violent activities in the Niger Delta Region of the South-South GeoPolitical Region in Nigeria. In addition, assaults, road traffic accidents and other causes of injuries are common in this environment.
Aim: To determine the pattern of soft tissue injuries to the face as seen in the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
Methods: A retrospective study of all soft tissue injuries to the face seen and managed in the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital from January to December, 2004.
Results: A total of 159 cases were studied during this period. Males were 62.9% and females (37.1%), a ratio of 1.7: 1. Laceration was the commonest type of injury (44.7%). Human bite was the commonest cause of injury (33%) and RTA was next (31%). The forehead was the most injured part of the face (21%). Males had more lacerations (75%) and were injured more by road traffic accident (78%) while females had more human bite (57%).
Conclusion: Laceration was found to be the commonest type of injury while human bite was the commonest cause. Injuries to the face are very conspicuous and disfiguring. They should be treated very meticulously and comprehensively by the experts.


Keywords: Soft tissue injuries, Face, Assaults, Road traffic accidents, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 3 (1) 2008: pp. 67-71