Objectives: The objectives of this retrospective study was to analyze the oral and maxillofacial injuries referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,HUKM,Kuala Lumpur,from 1999-2001.
Methods: 194 patients' hospital folders who sustained oral and maxillofacial trauma from July, 1999 to December, 2001 were reviewed. Data regarding race, age, gender, aetiology, type and site of injuries, other associated injuries and treatment modalities were obtained. Data analysis was carried out using Excel Version 2002.
Results: MVA was responsible for the majority of injuries (72.16%) , followed by fall (14.95%) and assault (7.21%). Motorcyclists were the most commonly injured (67.14%). Male to female ratio was 5.9:1. From the 194 patients, 49.48% were Malay, 31.44% Chinese and 13.4% Indian. The age group between 21 to 30 years (32.47%) accounted for the highest incidence of trauma. Soft tissue injuries alone accounted for 46% of all the maxillofacial trauma. The most frequent bone fractured was the mandible (44%), maxilla (19%) and zygomatic bone (18%). Other associated injuries were orthopaedic injuries (40.52%), ophthalmologic injuries (26.72%) and head injuries (18.10%). All the fractures were managed conservatively and surgically, at about an equal number (26% conservative; 24% surgery).
Conclusions: MVA involving motorcyclists remains the major cause of trauma in patients seen at HUKM. The pattern of injuries ie age and the site involvement correlates with other reports.