Oral and maxillofacial injuries worldwide can pose considerable long term orofacial deformity and disability. They present a therapeutic challenge to trauma, maxillofacial and plastic surgeons practicing in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was conducted to find out the epidemiological characteristics, etiology, pattern of maxillofacial injury and the subsequent treatment planned in northern regions of Madhya Pradesh at a tertiary care teaching institution at Gwalior.

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... HODOLOGY: A total of 170 consecutive maxillofacial trauma patients reporting at the trauma Centre and the outpatient department (OPD) of dental surgery at Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior were analyzed in a span of 18 months to determine the demographic details, etiological risk factors, pattern of facial injuries and treatment given at this institute. RESULTS: An 18 months survey was conducted from November 2013 till March 2015 to evaluate 170 subjects. Males outnumbered females with a male: female ratio of 5.5: 1. Road traffic accidents (RTA) turned out to be the dominant etiological risk factor involved in 52.9% of the cases. Motor cycle accidents and the influence of alcohol played a prominent role in etiology. Mandible was the most common bone involved in injuries. Parasymphysis and midsymphysis were the commonly involved sites. Closed reduction with arch bar fixation under local anesthesia was the commonly given treatment modality used in 73.5% cases. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: RTA on two-wheelers and under the influence of alcohol is still the most promising risk factor of facial trauma. Periodic review of driving skills, stricter implementation of traffic rules, timely maintenance of faulty roads and promotion of educational campaigns to create general awareness regarding the relation between risk factors and the mortality and morbidity associated with maxillofacial injuries are recommended.