Etiological factors of maxillofacial traumas in forensic cases: A four-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND

Maxillofacial traumas are often associated with significant morbidity, disfigurement, functional impairment, and costly treatments. This study aimed to analyze the frequency and causes of forensic cases involving maxillofacial trauma.

METHODS

A total of 356 forensic reports indicating maxillofacial trauma were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed using a medi-cal records database. Data collected over a four-year period included age, gender, time of admission, injury mechanism, fracture location, consultations, and surgical procedures. Forensic cases were categorized into six age groups: 18-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and over 61 years. The Glasgow Coma Scale and Injury Severity Score were recorded. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare scale score variables across categories, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

The mean age was 37.63±15.01 years, with a predominance of males (80.3%). Cranial bone fractures were the most frequently observed injuries. The mean Glasgow Coma Scale score was 14.68±1.88 and the mean Injury Severity Score was 5.03±9.21. Maxillofacial trauma was most common among individuals in their third decade of life (34.55%). Forensic cases occurred most frequently in the summer (33.4%), particularly in July (14.3%), on weekdays (65.7%), and between 16: 00 and 00: 00 (56.7%). The majority of cases (80.9%) were managed without surgical intervention. Violence was the cause of 68.8% of all maxillofacial traumas. Maxillofacial traumas resulting from violence were associated with significantly higher Injury Severity Score values compared to other causes (p=0.001). Additionally, patients with maxillofacial traumas who required consultation had higher Injury Severity Score values (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

The vast majority of forensic cases involving maxillofacial trauma occurred in males in their twenties. These traumas were most frequently caused by violence, particularly on summer weekends, between 16: 00 and 00: 00. Injury Severity Scores were higher when consultation was requested or in cases involving violence, underlining the severity of such traumas.