An analysis of 711 victims of interpersonal violence to the face, Turin, Italy.

AIM: The aim of this work is to analyze the risk factors in interpersonal violence and to describe the epidemiology, patterns and management of maxillofacial fractures in high volume trauma center of the northern Italy. MATERIAL: This retrospective study recorded patients hospitalized with maxillofacial fractures, at the division of maxillofacial surgery, Città della Scienza e della Salute University Hospital, Torino, Italy, since January 2001. METHODS: Only patients who presented with "violence" in the database field for "cause of injury" and with "interpersonal violence" as a subtype of etiology were considered. Statistical analysis was determined using the χ(2) or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: 2567 patients were admitted. 711 patients (27.7%) had undergone interpersonal violence that has increased from 20% to 35% in the study period. The male-to-female ratio was 11:1; the mean age was 32.7. 247 patients were foreigners (34.7%). 107 patients were enrolled in that study, referred alcohol or drugs abuse. IPV episodes account for 953 maxillofacial fractures localized in 55.3% of the cases in the midface, 43.1% in the lower third. Particularly the trauma involved the orbital region and the maxillo-orbito-zygomatic region. 4.4% of patients had combined trauma. CONCLUSION: IPV maxillofacial fractures in Europe such as in Italy are becoming one of the first cause of injuries. This study shows that young males and foreigners are involved in violence mostly during the weekend. These fractures occur due to fists frequently involving the maxillo-zygomatic-orbital complex.

Traumas maxilofaciais em vítimas de violência interpessoal periciadas no Instituto Médico Legal de Belo Horizonte - Minas Gerais / Maxillofacial injuries in victims examined at Brazilian Forensic Medical Institute

O trauma maxilofacial é um tipo muito específico de trauma que ocorre em casos de acidentes de trânsito ou de violência interpessoal. Seu aumento se deve à violência crescente nas cidades representando um impacto na vida social, psíquica e profissional das vítimas e um dos maiores desafios aos serviços de saúde pública...

Dento-alveolar and maxillofacial injuries among different ethnic groups in Israel.

An evaluation of dental and maxillofacial trauma in a level 1 trauma center in Israel was carried out to assess the causes of trauma and the relationship between the injuries to the patient's age, gender and ethnicity. Analysis was based on data from the Israel Trauma Registry. Patients hospitalized in a level 1 trauma center from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2005 were analyzed according to age, gender, time, place, ethnicity and cause of injury. Files of 22 558 trauma patients were reviewed. Maxillofacial and tooth injuries were separated and further analyzed according to the above parameters. Maxillofacial or dental injuries were observed in 1668 (7.4%) of the trauma patients, caused by motor vehicle accidents (39.2%), falls (30.9%), and intentional injuries (21.2%). Most occurred on the street/road (46.5%), at home (18.8%), and in public buildings (12.4%). Arab patients suffered more from vehicle accidents while Jewish patients presented more intentional injuries. Men were hospitalized three times more than women, and young people were at greater risk. The most frequent age of trauma was 19-28 years (27.6%). Ethnic differences were particularly noticeable for intentional injuries and vehicle accidents. This emphasizes that a larger percentage of the Arab population suffered from dental and maxillofacial injuries. Further dental health education and training for primary caregivers are warranted.

Craniomaxillofacial injuries in the United Arab Emirates: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To analyze craniomaxillofacial injuries in selected hospitals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of craniomaxillofacial injuries treated in 3 major hospitals in the UAE. Patient files were retrieved, reviewed, and analyzed. The main analysis outcome measures were the patients' name, age, and gender and the injuries' time, site, type, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 288 patients sustained 475 craniomaxillofacial injuries; road traffic accidents caused the majority of injuries. The patients ranged in age from 2 to 82 years (mean, 27.3 years), and the male-to-female ratio was 7:1. The yearly distribution of fractures peaked during 2001, and the monthly distribution peaked in January. The greatest number (41%) of patients were UAE nationals. Most patients (70.5%) had mandibular fractures, and the most common site was the body. There were 139 patients (48.3%) with a total of 171 midface fractures (36%); the most common fracture site was the zygomatic complex (29.8%). The most common treatment for jaw fractures was plating plus intermaxillary fixation. Stable zygomatic complex fractures were closely reduced (elevated), and unstable ones were treated by internal fixation. About 25% of the cases had 1 or more postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS: Craniomaxillofacial injuries in the UAE included in this study are somewhat similar to those reported in other countries. Differences from other countries are probably related to factors peculiar to the UAE, such as climate, social trends, and the cosmopolitan population.

Correlates of missed appointments in orofacial injury patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to compare the sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of orofacial injury patients who miss appointments with those of patients who do not and to determine which patient characteristics best predict missed-appointment behaviors (e.g., the number of missed clinic visits). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 190 patients (134 African American and 56 Hispanic) treated for mandible fractures at the King/Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles, participated in a prospective study involving structured interviews at 4 points (denoted recalls 1-4) over a 6-month period. To be included in the study, patients were required to have attended recall 1. Most patients in the study sample were male, more than 32 years of age, unmarried, and unemployed; most had completed high school; and most had sustained their injuries as a result of assault. RESULTS: Only 22% of the patients attended all 4 recall clinic appointments. However, 42% completed 3 recall visits, and 69% completed 2 recall visits. Patients who missed appointments were more likely to be African American than Hispanic and more likely to be unemployed than employed. There was a significant negative association between perceived social support and missed appointments (r = -0.18, P = .01). Patients who missed more appointments perceived themselves to have less social support than those who missed fewer or no appointments. The data revealed no associations between missed appointment behavior and age, gender, marital status, or education. None of the health-related variables investigated were associated with missed appointments. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that race, unemployment, and perceived social support were the best predictors of missed appointments. CONCLUSIONS: Social variables have a greater impact than health variables in predicting missed-appointment behavior. Unemployed African American patients are at the greatest risk for missing recall clinic appointments; however, this finding is independent of health insurance. Accessing and enlisting patients' social networks to support follow-up medical care has potential for improving appointment-keeping behavior and should be further examined.