Maxillofacial war injuries in civilians and servicemen during the aggression against Croatia.

Although civilian populations have been heavily involved in most of the recent wars and conflicts throughout the world, most reports analyzed casualty data of military personnel, often leaving civilian casualties excluded or underestimated. A comparison of epidemiologic and medical data for maxillofacial injuries between civilians and servicemen (policemen, soldiers, and United Nations Protection Forces) during the aggression against Croatia is attempted. Of the 220 casualties admitted to the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery in Zagreb between August 1991 and December 1992, almost one-fourth were civilians. A significant difference between civilians and servicemen was noted in age and sex distribution. The incidence and severity of maxillofacial and associated injuries is almost equal, and the pattern of injuries is of the same type for civilian and military personnel.