Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma and the Use of Telemedicine in the Grampian Region of Scotland: a Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the amount and nature of adult facial trauma in Aberdeen, Scotland's third largest city, that requires referral to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary oral and maxillofacial surgery department by the Emergency Department and Grampian's telemedicine service over a six month period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective audit using oral and maxillofacial surgery trauma clinic and theatre records to identify Emergency Department (ED) notes for those patients presenting with facial trauma. ED notes were examined to extract demographic data on each patient as well as information on the nature and outcomes of the facial trauma. This data was compared with previously published national and international statistics. RESULTS: 137 patients were identified with a mean age of 33.7 years with a standard deviation of 16.7. 83.2% of facial trauma victims were male and 62% of facial injuries were caused by alleged assault. Only 1 patient was referred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by telemedicine. CONCLUSIONS: Aberdeen has a high number of injuries caused by interpersonal violence. Telemedicine is an underused resource in the referral and review of facial trauma at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.