EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF FACE FRACTURES: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Face fractures are a public health problem that affects the quality of life of individuals who have suffered this condition. Knowing the importance of epidemiological studies to face this problem, this study aimed to outline the epidemiological profile of facial fractures, thus contributing to the development of more effective public policies and adequate treatment. For this, a literature review was carried out in the main databases, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrievel System Online (MEDLINE) and Brazilian Bibliography of Dentistry (BBO) through the Library Virtual Health (VHL) and directly through the Literature Analysis interface (PubMed / MEDLINE), in the last 20 years, covering heterogeneous populations, cultures and age groups. It was observed that the male gender was the most affected and its incidence was higher among young people, the main etiologies were physical aggressions and traffic accidents, especially with the involvement of motorcycles associated with the use of alcohol and drugs. The nasal bones and the mandible were the structures that suffered the most fractures and the most used treatment was closed reduction. In this context, measures are needed to combat social inequality and unemployment, encourage education and intensify traffic laws.

Key words: Facial trauma; Epidemiology; Fracture