| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2015 | Volume
: 4
| Issue : 1 | Page : 1-5 |
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Management of maxillofacial and orthopedic injuries: Is there a need for maxillofacial units in orthopedic hospitals?
OD Osunde1, AA Efunkoya2, KU Omeje2, IO Amole2
1 Department of Dental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Calabar and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Bayero University and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
2 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Bayero University and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Dr. O D Osunde
Department of Dental Surgery, Maxillofacial Unit, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1597-1112.169814
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Background: The study compared the pattern of consultation and the treatment outcome of maxillofacial patients referred by different orthopedic units.
Materials and Methods: All consecutive major trauma patients referred from two orthopedic units to the maxillofacial unit of our institution, over a 4-year period, was retrospectively analyzed. Patients' demographics, time, and types of injury, the time interval between injury and maxillofacial consultation, time of treatment, and anesthesia requirement were obtained.
Results: Of the 156 referred cases, there were 138 (88.5%) males and 18 (11.5%) females with a male: female ratio of 7.7:1. Their ages ranged from 12 to 66 years, mean 34.5 (9.89) years. Road traffic accident (n = 145; 92.9%) was the most common etiology. Mandibular (n = 87; 55.8%) and zygomatic (n = 30; 19.2%) fractures were the most predominant maxillofacial injuries. For the orthopedic injuries, lower limb fracture were the commonest (60.9%). Majority (n = 66; 91.7%) of patients co-managed with the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Team were seen within 24 h compared to a period of 4 days to over 1-week for patients referred from National Orthopedic Hospital (NOH). The mean period required to treat maxillofacial patients referred from NOH was significantly longer than for intra-hospital consultation (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Establishment of maxillofacial units in trauma and orthopedic hospitals will improve the overall management of the multiple trauma patients that may occasionally present with concomitant maxillofacial injuries. |
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