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

Abstract

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.