[Clinical study of maxillofacial fractures sustained during sports and games]

We performed a clinico-statistical study of the maxillofacial fracture due to sports during the period of 15 years between 1977 and 1991. Eighty-nine patients were seen with injuries resulting from 21 different sports. The incidence of the fracture was most common in rugby, followed by ski, baseball and soccer. Males were shown to be more prone to maxillofacial fracture than females (5.4:1) and the highest incidence of injuries involved the 20-29 age group followed by the 10-19 age group. The major parts of the fracture were the mandible and the alveolar process. Conservative therapy such as maxillomandibular fixation was usually performed and the clinical course was good. It was suggested that the prevention of the sports-related fracture and the time of returning to sports after the fracture will require further study.