Sport-related oral and maxillofacial trauma: Retrospective review of 317 patients

Abstract

Objective: The recent increase in worldwide sporting participation ensures sport-related traumatic injuries, including those affecting oral and maxillofacial anatomy, present more frequently to Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments. The aim of this study was to review aetiological, epidemiological and seasonal data on sport-related oral and maxillofacial trauma.
Methods: A two year retrospective review of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) trauma database of a busy regional maxillofacial unit (RMU) in the United Kingdom (UK).
Results: Of patients requiring hospital assessment and/or treatment for traumatic facial injuries, 317 (5.9%) identified sporting physical activity as the mechanism of injury with a male: female ratio of 8.4: 1. Adolescents and young adults (11-20 years) (n = 108; 34.1%) all at amateur level, were most commonly involved. Late autumn (October) and early spring (March) observed the highest prevalence of injury presentations. Sixty (18.9%) patients were admitted for reduction and fixation of facial fractures.
Conclusions: An increase in sport-associated injuries, including serious facial injuries, is recognised and appears to be affecting predominantly young male adults at amateur level. Prospective investigation to predict orofacial injuries associated with commonly played sports and to consider the efficacy and implementation of protective safety equipment is the need of future essential research.