Facial Bone Fractures in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: An Update on Pattern of Presentation and Care

Aims: Traumatic injuries remain a major cause of morbidity, mortality and economic loss worldwide. An audit of maxillofacial injuries presenting and managed at any facility is key to understanding the trends, strategies for prevention and improving outcome of care. We sought to study the pattern and treatment of facial bone fractures managed at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, between 2005 and 2013. Also, to compare these with the pattern in the preceding 29 years.

Methods: Data on patients' socio-demographics, dates of injury and presentation, interval before presentation, agent of injury, type of crash, patient's status, type(s) of fracture, extent of injury, treatment offered and outcome were collected and analyzed.

Results: 311 patients aged 5-72 years were reviewed. A male preponderance was observed. Peak age incidence was 21-30 years and 86.1 % of injuries resulted from road traffic crashes (RTC) most (67.5 %) of which were motorcycle related injuries. 215 patients sustained mandibular fractures in 311 sites while 141 patients sustained 225 midface fractures. Of the 242 patients managed definitively, only 11.2 % had open reduction and internal fixation.

Conclusion: Motorcycle related RTC remains the major cause of facial bone fractures. Management with osteosynthesis is gradually emerging, although demonstrating fewer complications, it is unaffordable for a majority.