Mechanisms and pattern of facial lacerations in the Accident Department

The purpose of this study was to determine patterns of facial laceration seen in the Accident and Emergency Department and identify how they are related to the mechanism of injury. A retrospective analysis of facial lacerations of an adult presenting to Accident and Emergency department was made over a 6-month period. There were 197 consecutive facial lacerations. The mean age of patients was 46 years. There were 137 male and 60 female patients. The aetiology of lacerations was falls (48%), assaults (11%), hit by an object by accident (21%) and hit stationary object by accident (15%). Mechanism of injury was found to be related to common patterns of laceration. Lacerations affecting the forehead mainly occurred in falls and those affecting the peri-orbital and peri-oral areas in assault. Lacerations were mainly linear, with a mean length of 2.4 cm, and about 75% were precipitated by blunt injury. Identification of common patterns of injury corresponding to a certain mechanism may allow assessment of the difficult or non-compliant patient. Understanding mechanisms of injury will allow safety planners to design safer domestic and workplace environments.