Associated Injuries in Maxillofacial Trauma: A Study in a Tertiary Hospital in South India

Maxillofacial trauma when associated with concomitant injuries has a significant potential for increased morbidity. This study aims to identify the causes of trauma, evaluate the types of associated injuries and to highlight the significance of multi professional collaboration in sequencing of treatment.

A total of 300 patients who reported to the casualty of a tertiary Hospital in Karnataka with facial fractures were enrolled.

Associated injuries were sustained by 162 patients. The predominant aetiology was the Road Traffic Accident with maximum number of patients in the age group of 20-29 and a male to female ratio of 10.1:1. The mandible was the most frequently fractured bone. Head injury was the most common associated injury. The mortality rate was 0.66%. The mean ISS and GCS values among the patients who sustained associated injuries along with maxillofacial trauma were higher and lower respectively, as compared to those without associated injuries with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001).

Implementation of strict road safety measures in the rural and interior regions of South India, to prevent morbidity and mortality due to road traffic accidents is essential. Injuries to the facial skeleton must be approached with the knowledge of probable associated injuries that could have been incurred.