OBJECTIVE: Highlights of 500 patients managed at our centre is presented.
METHODS: Parameters used are age, sex, tribe, date of onset, date seen, mode of presentation, tissues involved, history, stage, predisposing factors, treatment and rehabilitation.
RESULTS: 196 patients presented with acute conditions, 304 with chronic stage.predisposing factors include poor oral hygiene,malnutrition,debilitating disease,poor maternal care.Male to female ratio is 263:238. 85% of patients were 10yrs and below,peak incidence is 2-5 years, age range is 1-30 years.Childhood immunization appeared to reduce incidence.Parents occupation plays signifacnt role.Family size of patient range between 10 -14 people.The condition presents usually as swelling,an ulcer,boil or rashes.Tissues involved include lips, cheek, mandible,teeth,maxilla,zygoma,nose,ear,palate and eyeball.Complications are mainly extensive facial defects, ankylosis, osteomyelitis,speech defect,swallowing and masticatory difficulty, blindness. Management essentially is treating predisposing factors, acute conditions,associated complications,cosmetic repair of defect and rehabilitation.
CONCLUSION: A high number of these cases from one centre deserve attention. suggestion - train more personnel. Educate parents on protein diets,child spacing. subsidy on protein food.