Pattern of Maxillofacial Fractures at a tertiary referral hospital in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Maxillofacial fractures constitute the bulk of oral and maxillofacial trauma services in developing countries globally and places heavy burden on the dwindling resources of hospitals of these countries.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the aetiology and pattern of maxillofacial fractures at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.  

Materials and Methods: Thirty two patients that were diagnosed and treated in our centre between January 2012 and December 2012 were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis was based on clinical and radiographic examinations. The parameters recorded were aetiology, age, gender, site of fractures, treatment and complications.  

Results: Our patients' age ranged from 8 to 65 years (30.2 years ± 12.0). Ninety six point nine percent were males and 53.1% were in the 21-30 year group. Road traffic crash was the leading cause of injury (84.4%) mostly in commercial motorcycle riders and their pillion passengers. Approximately half of the fractures involved the mandible and the most common site was the parasymphysis (41.7%).

Conclusion: The use of crash helmets, seat belts and adherence to traffic rules among road users must be promoted. It is imperative to move away from dependence on commercial cyclists and institute a functional public transport system. Paradigm shift from closed reduction to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) should be encouraged.