The Influence of Helmets and pattern of Maxillofacial Trauma in Road Traffic Accidents: A Prospective Study

Dr.M.Sri Vignesh; Dr.K.Raja

Volume : VIII, Issue : V, May - 2019

The Influence of Helmets and pattern of Maxillofacial Trauma in Road Traffic Accidents: A Prospective Study

Dr. M. Sri Vignesh, Dr. K. Raja

Abstract :

The leading cause of facio-maxillary injuries is road traffic accident which is either low or high velocity trauma. This study analyzes the pattern of facio-maxillary trauma in motorcyclists involved in RTA�s and the efficacy of various helmets in preventing facio-maxillary injury. This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai from January 2016 to January 2018. All patients with facio-maxillary injury from 2 wheeler RTA�s were included in the study. The data collected were patient demographics, type of injury, pattern of fracture in facial bones, type of helmet and subsequent management of fractures. A total of 336 cases were included in this study of which only 36 patients wore helmet. The most common pattern of facio-maxillary injury was �lower face injury�. The most common age group involved was �21 to 30� with a male predominance. The pattern of injury was predominantly low velocity trauma with an average speed of 50-60km/h. Most common isolated bony injury was fracture of mandible. All types of facial fractures were remarkably low in patients who wore full-face helmet. Open face helmet offers no protection against facial injury. Fracture mandible is the most common facial fracture in patients we� helmet. Educational campaigns and use of appropriate helmet is necessary to decrease the number of facial injuries in such accidents.