Abstract
Objective: To establish the pattern of facial fractures, the most common fracture sites in patients with firearms injuries, then to determine which type of treatment was provided, duration of hospitalization and outcomes. Materials and methods: This retrospective study was conducted at two of the main hospitals (Samtah General and Prince M. bin Nasser Hospitals) in Jazan province (KSA) for patients with FAI from 2016 to 2018, while focusing on the following variables: 1) Demographic characteristics, 2) Types of facial fractures, 3) Most common anatomical sites affected, 4) Type of management, 5) Hospitalization period and 6) Patient outcomes. Results: During the study period a total of 33 out of 1500 patients admitted to the hospital - based emergency department (ED) were included, they all suffered from facial fractures attributed to firearm injuries (FAIs), with mean age of 28 years and all were male patients. The assault with a firearm was the most common etiology with only one case of self-inflicted injury. The mandible was the most affected area and the body was the most common site followed by the angle. Conclusion: Gunshot wounds present a great challenge to oral and maxillofacial surgeons and a multidimensional team approach is required to rehabilitate the victims of gunshot injuries, in order to achieve acceptable aesthetic and functional parameters while diminishing psychological consequences.