Variation of incidence of maxillofacial trauma due to road traffic accidents during monsoon and Non-monsoon period in malabar region, Kerala, India

Background & Objectives: With the advent of high-speed transportation systems, the occurrence of Injury and death due to trauma is on the rise. Road traffic injuries are the eighth leading cause of death globally. The weather has been cited as a risk factor for road traffic accidents. The objective of the study is to find out the variation of incidence and severity of maxillofacial trauma caused due to road traffic accidents during the various seasons in the Northern Districts of Kerala. Method: Hospital records of 3233 patients who sought treatment in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for traumatic maxillofacial injury irrespective of the aetiology over a period of one year extending from 1st Jan 2017 to 31st Dec 2017were assessed. The patients were identified according to the type of aetiology, season in which trauma has occurred and the severity of the trauma. Result & Discussion: The proportion of distribution of maxillofacial trauma seems to be similar, and in the case of RTA the daily average of number of cases were 4.51 and 5.51 cases per day (p=.13) during monsoon and non-monsoon season. There severity of maxillofacial trauma cases during monsoon was greater (p˂.01). Most of the victims being two-wheeler users and among the 21-30 yrs. age group. Conclusion: There is a definite decrease in average number of maxillofacial trauma during monsoon compared to non monsoon season, the decrease may be due to increased caution taken by the road users. Trauma during monsoon season are more severe.