BACKGROUND: To evaluate the etiology, age, gender and location of the lesions of facial trauma in patients arriving at our hospital. METHODS: The data were evaluated through retrospective analysis of patient charts from January 1st to December 31st, 2004. RESULTS: The group comprised 711 patients with facial trauma. Blunt assault was the most common cause, followed by motor vehicle crashes. Falls were, by far, the predominant cause of injury in children, but with increasing age, assaults became more common. It was observed a male:female ratio of 3:1. The most frequent age group was the 21-30 years one, with 52%. Facial fractures were found in 24.9% of facial injuries. The most frequent fracture was nasal (76.8%). CONCLUSION: Aggressions or interpersonal violence were the main cause of facial trauma in our population. The causes of facial trauma were directly related to the age.
Face; Maxillofacial Injuries; Facial Bones; Facial Injuries; Wounds and Injuries; Violence; Surgery
