Trends in the aetiology of maxillofacial fractures in the United Kingdom (1977-1987).

A survey was undertaken to assess changes in the aetiology of maxillofacial fractures in the United Kingdom between 1977 and 1987, using data which had been collected in British departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Data were available from units serving 17 million people and included details of patients from a broad spread of rural and urban areas. Analysis of data from the 27 maxillofacial units able to supply details from both 1977 and 1987 showed an overall increase of 20% in numbers of patients with maxillofacial fractures, though a trend towards fewer severe injuries was also a feature over the same period. Numbers of patients injured in road accidents had decreased by 34%, numbers of patients injured in assaults had increased by 47% whilst numbers of patients injured in all other ways had increased by 39%.