The patterns of facial injury suffered by patients in road traffic accidents: a case controlled study.

Road traffic accidents cause severe facial injuries and are frequently associated with injuries to other organ systems. The aims of this study were to define the facial injuries suffered by victims of road trauma and assess the need for a multidisciplinary approach to their management. A retrospective study of all patients over 14years of age suffering facial injuries over a five year period was conducted. Data was collected on the nature of their facial and other injuries and the impact of interspeciality management on their treatment. Four hundred and nine patients were identified. The midface was injured more frequently than the mandible and the majority of patients had multiple facial injuries. Neurologic, orthopaedic, thoracic and abdominal injuries were common and impacted on the management of the patients' facial trauma. Road traffic accidents cause more severe facial trauma than other mechanisms of injury. Other organ systems are more likely to be injured and the management of these injuries often impacts on their facial injury treatment demanding high levels of interspeciality cooperation.