Clinical characteristics of 131 patients with sports-related oral and maxillofacial injuries

We assessed the characteristics of 131 patients, with sports-related oral and maxillofacial injuries treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery II, Osaka University Dental Hospital during the 10-year period from 1988 to 1997.The incidence of sport-related injuries increased significantly from 10% in 1988 to 1992 to 15% in 1993 to 1997.The ratio of males to females was 11: 1, and the majority of patients were between the ages of 10 and 29 years.The highest proportion of injuries (32.1%) occurred in the summer. Injuries were caused by 24 different sports and the most common cause was baseball (25.2%), followed by rugby (19.1%), soccer (13.0%), and skiing (11.5%). Mostrugby and soccer accidents were caused by collisions, between players and involved fractures. Most baseball accidents were caused by collisions with sporting goods and involved periodontal tissue injuries.The above results suggest the need for stronger preventive and protective measures against sports-related accidents.