Lay summary
Long term surveillance studies of facial fractures are uncommon. Yet facial trauma is an important health issue because its incidence has repeatedly been shown to be associated with interpersonal violence and motor vehicle accidents, both of which are arguably preventable. Moreover, maxillofacial fractures are often associated with sever morbidity, loss of function, substantial financial cost and disfigurement.
This research aims to identify the incidence, aetiology, age, sex and ethnic distribution of facial fractures in New Zealand over the last decade (1998-2008) and compare it to previous research (from 1979-1998) to identify trends in facial fractures. Studies before 1998 report a mild decrease in the incidence of facial fractures. Identifying current trends may highlight important contributing issues. Such issues may be the reduction of the legal drinking age, increasing road safety awareness and protective devices in sports