[Sports and maxillofacial injuries: etiological and clinical aspects apropos of 46 cases. Preventive measures].

Maxillofacial injuries due to sporting activities represent approximately 10% of all cases of injury admitted to the University Hospital Center, Lyon, France, and more than half of these occur in football or rugby players. The causes of these accidents (blows against another player, the ground, the field equipment or the game accessories) are discussed. Lesions are generally simple in young, fit adults and results of surgical treatment satisfactory, apart from the rare cases of facial disruption. Preventive measures include examination for aptitude for sporting activities, adequate referring of games and the wearing of helmets, masks and inter-maxillary protective bars.