Comprehensive analyses of maxillofacial fractures due to non-professional sports activities in Italy.

Background/aim: Sports activities have become increasingly popular among amateurs and this has led to an increase in maxillofacial fractures. The aim of this study was to investigate the management of amateur sport-related maxillofacial fractures and appropriate preventive measures.

Methods: A trauma database was used to analyze 3231 patients with maxillofacial fractures admitted to the Maxillofacial Surgery Division of Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, Turin, Italy, from January 2001 to December 2019. Only patients with non-professional sports-related maxillofacial fractures were included. The following data were collected: age, gender, type of sport, mechanisms of injury, sites of fracture, Facial Injury Severity Scale, associated injuries, month of trauma, time to treatment, treatment, length of stay, and interval before return to sport.

Results: There were 432 patients, 378 males and 54 females, with a mean age of 29.2 (5-76 years). Sport-related maxillofacial fractures' relative percent ranged from 11.1% in 2001 to 17.5% in 2019. Soccer was the most common cause of sport-related maxillofacial fractures (54.2%), and impact with a player/opponent was the main mechanism of injury (72%). An intentional violent act (player hit by a fist) was the cause of fracture in 8.5% of the soccer-related injuries. Fractures of the middle third of the face occurred in 61.2% of patients. Maxillofacial fractures were treated within 24 h in 25% of patients. There were 343 out of 412 patients who received open reduction and internal fixation (mean length of hospital stay: 3.7 days). There was no contraindication to resuming sport activities at 30/40 days after treatment, except for combat sports.

Conclusions: This study provided further evidence of a relative increase in sports-related maxillofacial fractures. Soccer is related to the majority of sport maxillofacial fractures. Adherence to the rules is necessary to limit violent acts that cause such injuries. In non-professional players, resumption of the full activity is allowed after 40 days for non-combat sports.