Gunshot injuries of the orofacial region in Nigerian civilians.

The dearth of information from Africa on gunshot injuries to the orofacial region in a civilian population prompted this retrospective survey. Sociodemographic data, manifestations at admission, type of firearm inflicting injuries, mechanism of injury, radiographs, treatment and complications were reviewed. All injuries occurred in the civilian population. The majority of patients (95.5%) were males, involved mainly in recreational hunting expeditions. The Dane gun was mostly used (86.4%) and accidental discharge of the weapon was recorded in 59.1% of the cases, 40.9% of these being accidentally self-inflicted. Overall, the left half of the face received more of the missiles. Complications were seen in 63.6% of the patients and the most common of these was loss of sight. The mortality rate was 22.7%. Late presentation was a frequent occurrence. It is suggested that Nigerian law enforcement agencies devise strategies to monitor the sale, acquisition and use of such firearms.