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Epidemiology of patients with facial fractures treated by the plastic surgery team in an emergency room in the Federal District of Brazil

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Trauma remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality amongst young adults in the Western world. The prevalence of traumatic lesions on the face is especially high, as the facial area is generally exposed with little protection.

Objective:

To evaluate the etiology, age, sex, location, symptoms, and the type of treatment given to victims of facial trauma treated at the North Wing Regional Hospital (NWRH), Brasilia, Federal District. Method: This was a retrospective study conducted in the emergency room of the NWRH to evaluate the epidemiological profile of patients with facial trauma who presented during the 2nd half of 2012.

Results:

The study included 46 patients, of which 32 patients (69.56%) were male. Physical aggression was the prevailing cause in both sexes with 22 cases (47.82%), followed by falls with 11 (23.91%). Falls were the predominant cause of injuries in children. Physical aggression as a mechanism for facial trauma became more common with age. The main age group affected was the 21 to 30 years group, comprising 43.47% of cases. The nose was the most commonly affected bone in facial fractures, with nasal fractures occurring in 62.96% of cases. The mean hospital stay was two days and the mean time between the first visit and the operation was six days.

Conclusion:

The predominant epidemiological profile of a patient with facial fracture is that of a young male, victim of physical aggression, presenting with a nasal fracture and a clinical picture of this type of injury, and treated with closed reduction.

Keywords:
Plastic Surgery; Facial Injuries; Physical Aggression

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