Maxillofacial fractures in Jordan; a 5 year retrospective review

Abstract

AbstractAim: Maxillofacial fractures constitute a major part of trauma cases. This retrospective study was carried out to assess the causes, types, incidence and associated regional complications of maxillofacial fractures managed at three Royal Medical Services hospitals during a 5 year period and to compare them with the existing related literature.Materials and methods: The medical records and radiographs of 620 patients treated for maxillofacial fractures at three Jordanian Royal Medical Services hospitals over a 5 year period (from 2001 to 2006) were retrospectively reviewed. A number of parameters, including the patient's age, gender, mechanism of injury, type of facial injuries, treatment modality and associated complications were recorded and assessed.Results: The majority of fractures were caused by road traffic accidents (75%), followed by falls (12%), violent assaults (8%) and others (5%). There were 395 (54%) mandibular, 264 (36%) maxillary, 44 (6%) naso‐orbital and 29 (4%) zygomatic fractures. Different treatment modalities were used according to the site of fracture. Males 18 to 35 years of age sustained the most maxillofacial fractures. The ratio of males to females was 9:1. Various types of regional complications were recorded in 68 patients (10.9%)Conclusion: The findings of this study, compared with similar studies reported in the literature, support the view that the causes and incidence of maxillofacial fractures vary from one country to another with the road traffic accidents being the leading cause. Greater efforts toward prevention and treatment programmes are highly recommended.