Sports related maxillofacial fractures in 77 Nigerian patients

A ten-year review of seventy-seven maxillofacial fractures due to sports seen and treated at the Maxillofacial Unit, Ring Road State Hospital, Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan is presented. Majority of the patients were in the 21-30 years age group. The male to female ratio was 4.1:1. Males were more involved than females. The mandible (54.5%) was more involved in sports injuries than the middle third region of the face. The most common sport implicated in maxillofacial fracture was soccer followed by boxing. A greater percentage of the patients (57.1%) had closed reduction and fixation. Though sports related maxillofacial fractures tend to be less grave than those due to road traffic accidents, they could be lessened by the use of mouth and face guards.