Pattern of referred middle third fractures to the Maxillofacial Unit of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: There is an increasing recognition that many patients who had middle third facial fractures were polytraumatized and would benefit immensely from early multi-disciplinary care provided by specialists. Therefore, the early referral to a specialist is the most appropriate because, it saves cost and also provide better care for the traumatized persons. This study is aimed at presenting the pattern of referral of middle third facial fractures to the Maxillofacial Unit of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Methods and Patients: A descriptive prospective study of patients with middle face fractures referred to the Maxillofacial Unit of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State over a 48-month period.

Results: The male to female ratio of 2.4:1, was seen. The mean age was 23.2 ± 3.4. RTA was the main cause of injuries with 76% and 42.1% had no written referral. There are 41 patients referred from various centers but excluded from this study because the diagnoses were not confirmed before the patients died.

Conclusion: Dental Surgeons had the highest number of referrals followed by surgeons in the head and neck region.