Machete-Cut Maxillofacial Injuries in Civilian Setting: Case Series from a Tertiary Health Care Facility in Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria.

Abstract

Machete-cut injuries are not uncommon and are usually associated with severe soft tissue disruption and unusual bone fractures. This could result into a potentially life-threatening injuries that could pose challenges in management. Six patients seen and managed for machete-cut injuries over a period of 2years (From July 2020 to August 2022) at the Dental and Maxillofacial surgery unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto were presented. All the victims were males sustaining varying degrees of soft and hard tissue injuries, with no tissue avulsion. Four (4) cases of the series were treated under local anaesthesia and conscious sedation while the remaining two (2) cases were done under general anaesthesia. Open reduction and internal fixation were done in four (4) of the cases, splinting in one (1) case and only soft tissue repair in one (1) case. Facial nerve palsy, mental and buccal nerve anaesthesia were the observed nerve injuries. Early presentation, careful assessment of the injuries and meticulous planning will reduce morbidity and mortality associated with such injuries. There is need for preventive mechanisms such as providing education as well as reducing rate of unemployment in our society.