Analysis of the results of rendering first aid in case of maxillofacial injuries suffered in road traffic accidents

Abstract

For achieving the set goal, the author conducted a retrospective research. The study involved the victims of road traffic accidents aged from 18 to 70 years, who suffered maxillofacial injuries; total of 150 victims over the period from 2010 to 2020. The selected topic is a pressing medical and social problem. It is observed that the number of close and open injuries received in road traffic accidents is roughly the same. However, the open injuries qualified as moderate and severe were determined in 45 (30%) cases. The data analysis indicates that in 30.7% of cases, first aid was rendered by bystanders and/or relatives of the victims, who do not have the necessary competence and knowledge for providing such aid; in another 19.3% of cases, first aid was rendered by operational services personnel (traffic police, fire and rescue divisions), who have the necessary knowledge and skills. The absence of necessary skills for rendering first aid to the victims of road traffic accident with such type of injury explains high percentage of mistakes, which amounted to 41.3%. At the same time, the operational services personnel demonstrated good results in rendering first aid; no mistakes were detected. The analysis of the common mistakes indicates the application of physical efforts in the process of removing victims from the vehicle; no special means while the victim's head was not fixated, which causes additional injuries. In six (4.0%) cases, the spoor condition of the victims was mistaken with comatose.