Management of Maxillo Facial Fractures in a Cameroonian Tertiary Hospital

This is a descriptive study that was carried out at the accident and emergency, Dental, and Ear Nose and throat (ENT) units of the Douala General Hospital between April 2014 to September 2014 on patients with maxillofacial trauma referred to this tertiary hospital. Maxillofacial injuries were found among 7 (23%) female and 24 (77%) males in patients mostly of between 21-31 age groups most of whom are motorcycle bike riders 10(32.3%). All patients were first resuscitated at the emergency department and 22 (71%) of the patients were referred to the general surgery department. The lips (13) 41.9%, facial trauma 10 (32.3%), facial edema 28 (90.3%), bleeding 25 (80%), dental articulation disorders 23 (74.2%), para symphyseal fractures38 (51.6%) were the most clinical signs. Treatment took place between the 5th and 10th day after consultation with anti-inflammatory 15 (48.4%), 24 (77.4%) on mouth washes and more than half were prescribed antitetanus prophylaxis. The majority 25(81%) of patients were treated using open reduction 6(48%), closed reduction 20(65%), intermaxillary fixation 26(84%) and 4(13%) pterigo-zygomatic suspension for the management of maxillofacial fractures either by the dentist or the ENT surgeons.