Patterns of Maxillofacial Fractures in Road Traffic Crashes in an Indian Rural Tertiary Center

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background and objectives Road traffic crashes are reported to be the leading cause of maxillofacial fractures in developing countries. The large variability in reported incidence and etiology is due to a variety of contributing factors, including environmental, cultural and socioeconomic factors. The study aims at describing the patterns of maxillofacial fractures in road traffic crashes by clinical and radiological methods and to study the complications associated with these fractures. Materials and methods The study included 100 road traffic crash patients with maxillofacial injuries. Patients were evaluated for any maxillofacial fracture by clinical assessment and, radiologically, using plain radiographs and computed tomography scan. Results Midfacial skeleton was more prone to fractures. Isolated fractures of the maxilla was the commonest (58%) followed by nasal bone fractures (43%). Among the complex fractures, Le Fort type II was the commonest. Mandibular fractures were seen in 33% of the patients, parasymphysis being the commonest site. Majority of the patients had associated soft tissue injuries. The incidence of complications associated with maxillofacial fractures was 11%, malocclusion being the commonest. Conclusion Maxillofacial fractures are commoner in the mobile population in the most productive age group, more so in two wheeler riders causing significant morbidity and mortality. Midface region is more prone to fractures and is most of the time associated with complications. How to cite this article Jayaraju RM, Sagayaraj A, Reddy MP, Harshitha KR, Majety P. Patterns of Maxillofacial Fractures in Road Traffic Crashes in an Indian Rural Tertiary Center. Panam J Trauma Crit Care Emerg Surg 2014;3(2):53-58.