Head injury and associated maxillofacial injuries

To review patients admitted with head injuries under a regional neurosurgical service, to document the incidence and features of associated maxillofacial trauma, and to assess any delay in referral to a maxillofacial surgeon for definitive management of facial injuries.

The details of all patients admitted under the neurosurgical service at Christchurch Hospital over the preceding 7 years (1995-2002) were reviewed via that department's database. The records of those patients noted to have a maxillofacial injury were requested, and the following data obtained: demographics, diagnosis, and mode of injury (including specific variables such as alcohol consumption and seatbelt usage in motor vehicle accidents).

2307 patients were admitted under the neurosurgical service at Christchurch Hospital over a 7-year period. Five percent of those patients had an associated maxillofacial injury. Three-quarters were men, with an average age of 27 years. Motor vehicle accidents and assaults were the most common cause of injury. Nearly one-third of those persons in motor vehicle accidents were not wearing seatbelts. Alcohol was more frequently involved in mild and moderate head injuries and these patients were more likely to have been assaulted than those admitted with severe head injuries. There were no significant delays in referring patients admitted who had an associated maxillofacial injury to a maxillofacial surgeon.

A small but significant number of patients admitted with head injuries will have an associated maxillofacial injury.