Retrospective analysis of oral and maxillofacial surgery cases in a sub-urban centre in southwest Nigeria: scope and limitations

Objective: Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a surgical sub specialty whose scope is widening by the day. However, in Nigeria, the practice has been mostly urban with centres usually in tertiary health institutions. This study was carried out to review the scope of work in a semi urban centre providing service for an entire south western state and environ in Nigeria, and to highlight limitations. Method: This was a retrospective study conducted at the Oral Dental Health Centre, Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria covering the period September, 2000 and April, 2004. Data including age, sex, diagnosis and treatment were obtained from the clinic record books, theatre book and patients record files. Results: A total of 151 cases were seen within the study period. There were 90 males and 61 females with a male to female ratio of 3:2. The age range was between 3 days and 65 years and a mean of 38.5 years. The peak age of patients were in the second and third decades of life (n=65, 43%). The cases seen were classified into 6 broad groups namely: Orofacial tumours (n=43, 27.2%), Cysts (n=14, 9.3%), Fracture/trauma (n=41, 27.2%), Salivary glands (n=7, 4.6%), Temporomandibular joint diseases (n=11, 7.3%), Congenital malformation (n=10, 6.7%), Orofacial infections (n=13 8.6%) and Others (including neuralgia, leukoplakia n=12, 7.9%). Out of 151 cases seen, only 84 (55.6 %) received one form of treatment or the other, the remaining were either referred to other centers or failed to attend after initial consultation and assessment. Conclusion: A wide variety of cases were seen but socioeconomic, human resource and infrastructural problems limited the scope of practice. Keywords: Oral and maxillofacial surgery, sub-urban centre, NigeriaNigerian Dental Journal Vol. 15 (2) 2007: pp. 75-7