Pattern of Maxillofacial Fractures in Severe Multiple Trauma Patients: A 7-year Prospective Study

Abstract

The incidence of facial trauma is high. This study has the primary objective of documenting and cataloging maxillofacial fractures in polytrauma patients. From a total of 1229 multiple trauma cases treated at the Emergency Room of the Santo Antonio Hospital - Oporto Hospital Center, Portugal, between August 2001 and December 2007, 251 patients had facial wounds and 209 had maxillofacial fractures. Aged ranged form 13 to 86 years. The applied selective method was based on the presence of facial wound with Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥1. Men had a higher incidence of maxillofacial fractures among multiple trauma patients (86.6%) and road traffic accidents were the primary cause of injuries (69.38%). Nasoorbitoethmoid complex was the most affected region (67.46%) followed by the maxilla (57.42%). The pattern and presentation of maxillofacial fractures had been studied in many parts of the world with varying results. Severe multiple trauma patients had different patterns of maxillofacial injuries. The number of maxillofacial trauma is on the rise worldwide as well as the incidence of associated sequelae. Maxillofacial fractures on multiple trauma patients were more frequent among males and in road traffic crashes. Knowing such data is elementary. The society should have a key role in the awareness of individuals and in prevention of road traffic accidents.

Association of traumatic head injuries and maxillofacial fractures: A retrospective study

“…The risk of experiencing THI in patients with MFF varies between 5.4% and 86%. [3][4][5][7][8][9][10][11]19 Most of those studies, however, have described neurologic injury in general The mean age (30.56 years) of participants in this study was slightly younger than participants in other studies. 2,3,20,22 The results still support that the most affected group exposed to THI associated with MFF was the ≤20 years old with a preponderance of males (83.1%) which is similar to other studies.…”

“…The differences and conflicts in studies regarding the association of THI with MFF globally are very wide. The risk of experiencing THI in patients with MFF varies between 5.4% and 86% b. Most of those studies, however, have described neurologic injury in general terms rather than specific injuries.…”

“…Traumatic head injuries (THI) are usually concomitant with maxillofacial fractures (MFF), and the MFF can be considered as a significant indicator for THI . There is a controversy in the literature about the association of THI with MFF with some studies reporting that the percentage ranged from 5.4 to 45.5%, while in other studies the percentage can reach up to 86% in more serious MFF . Due to the close anatomical proximity of the maxillofacial bones and the cranium, it is common that patients with MFF are at increased risk of, and suffer from, THI simultaneously which can lead to primary or secondary brain damage in case of a missed or late diagnosis in such cases …”

“…[1][2][3] There is a controversy in the literature about the association of THI with MFF with some studies reporting that the percentage ranged from 5.4 to 45.5%, [4][5][6][7][8] while in other studies the percentage can reach up to 86% in more serious MFF. [9][10][11] Due to the close anatomical proximity of the maxillofacial bones and the cranium, it is common that patients with MFF are at increased risk of, and suffer from, THI simultaneously which can lead to primary or secondary brain damage in case of a missed or late diagnosis in such cases. 2,12,13 Globally, THI will exceed many other diseases as the main cause of disability and death by the year 2020 according to the WHO as it is a significant public health problem.…”

Pattern of Maxillofacial fracture in Western and Central Nepal: An experience in 3 tertiary level health institutions

“…3,12 In this study, 88 % maxillofacial fractures were caused by road traffic accidents followed by interpersonal violence (7.6%) and fall (4.2%). The reasons for higher frequency of RTA in these regions can be attributed to poor road conditions, underage driving, inadequate road safety awareness, old vehicles without safety features, over-speeding, over-loading, lack of strict seat belt law obligation and substance abuse.…”