Age Related Variations in Prevalence, Etiology, Patterns and Severity of Maxillofacial Injuries Among Patients Reported to Emergency Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: An Institution Based Retrospective Study

Background: Maxillofacial injuries represent a significant healthcare burden worldwide, with varying patterns and severity across different age groups. Understanding these variations is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies. This study aimed to investigate age-related variations in prevalence, etiology, patterns, and severity of maxillofacial injuries among patients reporting to the emergency department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted analyzing data from 574 patients with maxillofacial injuries treated over a 5-year period. Patients were categorized into five age groups: pediatric (4-12 years), adolescent (13-19 years), young adult (20-39 years), middle age adult (40-59 years), and elderly (>60 years). Data on etiology, fracture sites, injury patterns, and severity using the Facial Injury Severity Scale (FISS) were collected and analyzed. Results: The majority of patients were young adults (20-39 years), accounting for 45.1% of cases. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) were the most common etiology overall (48.4%), followed by falls (23.3%) and assaults (15.5%). RTAs predominated in all age groups except the elderly, where falls were more common. Mandibular fractures were most frequent in adolescents, while complex midfacial trauma was more common in the elderly. Severity varied significantly across age groups, with the elderly having higher FISS scores (mean 3.4 ± 1.3) compared to pediatric patients (mean 2.4 ± 1.0). Conclusion: Age-related variations exist in the prevalence, etiology, patterns, and severity of maxillofacial injuries. These findings highlight the need for age-specific preventive measures and management approaches.

Keywords: Maxillofacial injuries, Age-related variations, Etiology, Injury patterns, Facial Injury Severity Scale.