Darwin ‘world’s capital of broken jaws’
By ANIFriday, January 8, 2010
MELBOURNE - Darwin in Australia has been dubbed as the world’s capital of broken jaws by a Northern Territory surgeon.
According to the Northern Territory News, oral and maxillofacial surgeon Mahiban Thomas said Royal Darwin Hospital saw more patients with broken jaws than any other capital, and that alcohol was the main cause of most injuries.
“Royal Darwin Hospital treats 350 broken jaws a year, putting the rate at 17 per 10,000 population, which is well above anywhere else in the world,” News.com.au quoted Thomas as saying.
“The injuries are mostly sustained outside pubs and clubs in the city centre Thursday and Friday nights.
“Only 12 percent of trauma patients have not been a victim of an alcohol-related assault,” he said.
Dr Thomas said he was shocked when he first arrived in the northern capital five years ago and would support an alcohol accord in nightclubs, where they share information about violent patrons.
“Anything at all that can moderate the behaviour after the consumption of alcohol I would support it,” he added.
The call came only two months after the NT News revealed booze killed and seriously injured more people in the NT than anywhere else in the country.
The report said 88 Territorians over the age of 15 were estimated to have died after drinking too much grog in 2005 - nearly three times the national average. (ANI)
