Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Pattern, Distribution, Etiology and Treatment of Maxillofacial Injuries from Different Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria

This study aimed to provide a nationwide survey of maxillofacial injuries pattern, distribution, etiology and treatment based on Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. This systematic review and meta-analysis included all cross-sectional, cohort, case–control and randomized controlled studies published between 2004 and 2019 (16 years). Comparisons were made between different age groups, gender, site of maxillofacial injury, associated injuries, and treatment across geopolitical zones in Nigeria: southwest(SW), south–south (SS), southeast (SE), northwest (NW), north central (NC) and northeast (NE). Proportion meta-analysis using the generic inverse variance method, risk ratio effect measure, and random-effects model was conducted. A total of 35 studies including 4472 patients from four geopolitical zones across Nigeria (SW, SS, SE and NW) were included in this review. Age range was 0.3–90 years. Highest male-to-female ratio reported was 30:1. Road traffic crash (RTC) was the major risk factor for maxillofacial injuries (3.10, 95