[Head and neck injuries: 184 cases in Mali]

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Emergency Medicine
• Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

Background:

• Head and neck injuries pose significant management challenges in emergency settings.
• Road traffic accidents are a leading cause of traumatic injuries globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the epidemiological characteristics of head and neck injuries.
• To identify common injury patterns and associated complications.
• To highlight challenges in managing these injuries in a resource-limited environment.

Main Methods:

• Prospective descriptive study conducted over six months.
• Inclusion of 184 patients treated for head and neck injuries (excluding neurosurgical cases).
• Data collection on patient demographics, injury mechanisms, injury types, and complications.

Main Results:

• The study population comprised predominantly young, single, urban males (mean age 27).
• Road traffic accidents accounted for 93% of injuries.
• Common injuries included epistaxis, facial bone fractures, cervical spine fractures, and petrosal bone fractures, often with associated ear and nose avulsions.
• Major complication risks involved circulatory loss, airway obstruction, functional/morphological impairment, and coma.

Conclusions:

• Head and neck injuries in this cohort are primarily due to road traffic accidents, affecting young males.
• Effective management is hampered by a shortage of essential medications and treatment kits.
• There is a need for improved trauma care resources and preventative strategies.