A 7-year review of maxillofacial trauma in a central London hospital.

Over a 7-year period from January 1, 1983 to December 31, 1989, 439 maxillofacial injuries were referred to the Oral Surgery Department of St Mary's Hospital in London. During this period there was a decrease in the incidence of maxillofacial injuries presenting as a result of road traffic accidents, with a corresponding increase in the number of cases related to assault. The patterns of age and sex distribution, however, reflected the results of previous studies by other maxillofacial units within the UK. Of particular interest is the finding that a large proportion of maxillofacial injuries (43%) included in this survey had no active treatment.