Trends in maxillofacial injuries in war-time (1914–1986)

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-4356(89)80001-4Get rights and content

Summary

In view of evidence of increasing ophthalmic injury in modern warfare we examined available data for evidence of any changes in the incidence of head and neck injuries since 1914. Although data concerning maxillofacial injuries were available for only five of 26 conflicts, we could find no evidence of increasing incidence of head and neck injury. Overall mean incidence of head and neck injury was 16%; greater than expected in terms of random wounding and the proportion of whole body surface area (12%). Data from the Falklands Campaign and Northern Ireland indicate that 3–8% of all casualties sustained middle or lower third fractures of the facial skeleton. Specialists who have expertise in maxillofacial surgery therefore remain an indispensable part of casualty care in modern warfare. Terrorist activity appeared to give rise to more head and neck injury than either rural attack or minor or major conventional war.

References (32)

  • AdamsonP.B.

    A comparison of ancient and modern weapons in the effectiveness of producing battle casualties

    Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps

    (1977)
  • AwtyM.D. et al.

    Review of the treatment of facial injuries in the Nigerian Civil War

    International Journal of Oral Surgery

    (1973)
  • BanksP. et al.

    Gunshot wounds

  • BelkinM. et al.

    Eye injuries and ocular protection in the Lebanon War

    Israel Journal of Medical Science

    (1982)
  • BoydN.A. et al.

    British surgical aid to the Jordan

    Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England

    (1971)
  • CrewF.A.E.

    The Army Medical Service

  • DudleyH.A.E. et al.

    Civilian battle casualties in South Vietnam

    British Journal of Surgery

    (1968)
  • EisemanB.

    Casualty care planning

    Journal of Trauma

    (1978)
  • GordonD.S.

    Missile wounds of the head and spine

    British Medical Journal

    (1975)
  • HaddadF.S.

    Nature and management of penetrating head injuries during the Civil War in Lebanon

    Canadian Journal of Surgery

    (1978)
  • HeatonA.J.

    Medical Department of the US Army

  • Hostile Action Casualty Statistics

    (1969)
    (1988)
  • IrelandM.W.

    Statistics; Part 2 (Medical and Casualty Statistics U.S. Army; April 1, 1917 to December 31, 1919)

  • JacksonD.S. et al.

    The Falklands War—Army field surgical experience

    Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England

    (1983)
  • LewinW. et al.

    Missile head wounds in the Korean Campaign

    British Journal of Surgery

    (1955)
  • MacDermottB.C.

    A field surgical team in Borneo. Sept 1965–March 1966

    Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps

    (1968)
  • Cited by (49)

    • The marks of gunshot wounds to the face

      2021, Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
    • Maxillofacial surgery in wartime Middle-East: Paul Tessier's missions to Iran

      2019, Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery
      Citation Excerpt :

      The Iraq–Iran conflict was categorized as a minor conventional war (type 3). Maxillofacial trauma are more common in conflicts with small spatial extent: 21% of injuries in terrorist attacks are maxillo-facial, as opposed to 15% in major conventional wars (Dobson et al. (1989)). The face is also easily targeted by small arms and light weapons, and facial protective devices are often lacking in small conflicts.

    • Management of Military Ballistic Injuries to the Face and Neck

      2017, Maxillofacial Surgery, 3rd Edition: Volume 1-2
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text