Maxillofacial trauma in severely injured patients

A study was made of maxillofacial trauma in seriously injured patients to determine the likely role of oral and maxillofacial surgeons working in the regional trauma centres proposed by the Royal College of Surgeons of England. There were 153 patients, aged 70 years or less, who sustained major trauma (injury severity score 16 or more) and were admitted directly to the accident departments of the Bristol Royal Infirmary or Derriford Hospital, Plymouth during 1989. Maxillofacial injuries occurred in 50 (33%) of these patients with lacerations present in 39, burns in 1 and facial bone fractures in 28 (18%); soft tissue abrasions and contusions were excluded. The aetiology, patterns of injury, surgical treatment and outcome were reviewed. The implications for the provision of maxillofacial surgical services in regional trauma centres is discussed.