Assault induced Oral and Maxillofacial injuries among Ekitis in Nigeria

Objective:to analyze the pattern of maxillofacial injuries caused by assault in our institution. Methods: a retrospective survey of patients with assault induced maxillofacial injuries presenting to our maxillofacial surgery clinic/emergency ward was carried out. Demographic data such as age, sex, occupation, education level were obtained from patients' record. Pattern of oro-facial injuries and treatment offered were retrieved from our department's data base. Results: 156 patients presented with oral and maxillofacial injuries between October 2009 and December 2010. 34 cases were due to assault and male to female ratio was 1.8:1. The mean age of the patients was 21.4±6.26 years [age range 2-48 years]. 23.6%[n=8] of the injuries were due to domestic violence between spouses while 35.3% [n=12] resulted from fight. Students unrest and armed robbery attack accounted for 6 cases each [17.7%, n=6], while there were 2 cases due to child battering. 64.3% [n=22] of the injuries sustained involved soft tissues while 35.7% involved hard tissues. Contusion was the commonest isolated soft tissue injury accounting for 56% [n=1] while dentoalveolar fracture was the most encountered hard tissue injury [62.5%, n=16]. Conclusion: although road traffic crashes remain a leading cause of maxillofacial injuries in our environment, assault induced maxillofacial injuries are on the increase and there is need to embark on preventive strategies.