Maxillofacial trauma linked to domestic violence in the emergency service of Barros Luco Hospital, 2021-2022

Introduction: Domestic violence frequently results in facial trauma, affecting up to 73% of victims. Surgeons treating maxillofacial injuries are in a critical position to identify potential abuse and refer patients appropriately. However, underreporting and lack of protocols hinder detection and documentation. Materials and Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study reviewed clinical records of patients over 15 years old treated for maxillofacial trauma at the Dental Emergency Service of Barros Luco Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022. Incomplete records were excluded. Data were processed in Excel and analyzed using Stata 16.1®, applying Chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. Results: Of 37,176 emergency consultations, 1,145 cases (3%) involved maxillofacial trauma, with 47 cases (4.1%) linked to domestic violence. Most occurred in 2021. Victims were predominantly women (85%) with a mean age of 33. Most incidents took place in summer and during evening hours. In 32% of cases, the partner was the aggressor, and physical force was the main mechanism (59.5%). The most common injuries were contusions (73%) and nasal fractures (61%). Discussion: The observed prevalence likely underestimates the real impact due to underreporting. Findings support the urgent need for standardized screening protocols and larger-scale studies to guide prevention and policy efforts.