[Work-related injuries in the maxillofacial region]

A retrospective study covering a period of 3.5 years was undertaken to determine the incidence of work-related injuries in the maxillofacial region. A group of 2,383 patients treated at our institution with maxillofacial trauma of various causes was evaluated. Work-related maxillofacial injuries in this population ranked fourth in frequency of occurrence after traffic accidents, falls, and acts of violence. Hand tools were found to be the culprit of most of the injuries in the maxillofacial region. The majority of the fractures of the facial skeleton were comminuted and/or compound and mostly involved the mandible. In many cases there was a delay in the treatment of the maxillofacial injuries due to associated severe trauma involving other bones and internal organs. Such a delay in treatment can result in aesthetic problems, such as facial deformity and asymmetry, functional problems due to damage inflicted upon vital structures, such as the eyes and the facial nerve, and psychological problems that can be caused by facial scarring and the traumatic loss of teeth at an early age. The best way of treating work-related maxillofacial injuries is through prevention. That should include adequate training of workers, recognition of possible occupational hazards, and the implementation of strict safety measures in the work place.