Severe maxilla-facial injuries in a Nigerian: the need for a safe road

ABSTRACT

A case of a 30 year old motor mechanic with severe multiple maxillofacial injuries following a road traffic accident sequel to an armed robbery attack is presented. He had right Leforte II and mandibular fractures with soft tissue injuries and had emergency tracheostomy with repairs of soft tissue injuries and fixation of the fractures. He developed oronasal fistula and epiphora from nasolacrimal duct obstructions both of which resolved spontaneously and he made complete recovery. This case further re-emphasizes the need for the enforcement of legislations to reduce these injuries with the provision of emergency medical services on our highways and entrenchment of the National health insurance scheme [NHIS] into the health care system of Nigeria